Effect of Temporal Area Bone Vibrator Placement on Auditory Brain Stem Response in Newborn Infants*

The effect of bone conduction vibratory placement on the temporal area, revealed by the auditory brain stem response (ABR), in newborn infants, was investigated. Twenty-five full term neonates were tested at 48 to 72 hours postparturition. ABR wave V latencies were obtained from three different temporal area postauricular vibrator placements at 15 and 30 dB nHL stimulus intensity levels. Results showed that significant ABR wave V latency shifts were observed with changes in the three vibrator placements (p less than 0.05). It is suggested that, with ABR testing in newborn infants using bone conducted stimuli, bone vibrator placement on the temporal area remain consistent.