Electric Auditory Brainstem Response (EABR) as A predictor of Speech Perception Outcome in Cochlear Implanted Children

Purpose: To study the Electric Auditory Brainstem Response (EABR) measures and their relation to speech perception outcomes-both in quiet and noise-and to the phonological tests.Patients and Methods: Twenty-six unilaterally implanted children were subjected to EABR recording. EABR was recorded from one apical electrode E21 (A) and one basal electrode E2 (B). Word recognition scores (WRS), Bamford-Kowel Bench speech in noise (BKB-SIN test), and phonological assessment auditory level, speech intelligibility index, and language test were done.Results: This research showed statistically significant better EABR responses recorded from the apical electrodes (A) compared to the basal ones (B) as regards amplitude growth function (AGF) slopes, maximum amplitudes, thresholds, and latencies. Significant positive correlations were reported between both EABR slopes and maximum amplitudes and the WRs; however, significant negative correlations were found between EABR slopes and maximum amplitude measurements and the dB SNR loss of BKB-SIN values. Furthermore, the AGF slopes had significant correlations with the auditory level and the speech intelligibility index.Conclusion: EABR AGF slopes and maximum amplitudes were both correlated with speech recognition in quiet and in noise and were correlated with phonological assessment. These encouraging findings can be used for CI outcome prediction and can help clinicians provide optimal services to pediatric CI recipients and facilitate realistic expectations among caregivers.