Auditory brainstem response (ABR) findings in males and females with comparable head sizes at supra-threshold and threshold levels
Background and purpose: Gender disparities in auditory brainstem response (ABR) results have been reported but the exact reasons remain controversial. Difference in head size between genders has been suggested but the literature is lacking, particularly at threshold levels. In this short communica...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
Elsevier GmbH
2019
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/71083/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/71083/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/71083/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/71083/1/71083_Auditory%20brainstem%20response%20%28ABR%29%20findings.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/71083/2/71083_Auditory%20brainstem%20response%20%28ABR%29%20findings_SCOPUS.pdf |
| Summary: | Background and purpose: Gender disparities in auditory brainstem response (ABR) results have been reported but
the exact reasons remain controversial. Difference in head size between genders has been suggested but the
literature is lacking, particularly at threshold levels. In this short communication, we compared ABR results
between males and females with comparable head sizes at supra-threshold and threshold levels.
Materials and methods: In this comparative study, of 58 healthy young adults, 30 of them (17 females and 13
males) with comparable head sizes underwent the standard ABR testing. Wave V latencies and ABR thresholds
were determined and analyzed accordingly.
Results: At the supra-threshold level, significantly shorter wave V latencies were found in females than in males
(p=0.029). This difference was substantive (d=0.86) and persisted even when the head size was included in
the analysis (p=0.032). In contrast, no significant differences in ABR thresholds were found between genders
(p > 0.05).
Conclusions: Significant gender differences in ABR results among young adults were only found at the suprathreshold
level, which were not related to the head size. Based on the study outcomes, gender-specific normative
data for ABR are still beneficial for clinical applications, particularly when recording ABR at high stimulation
levels. |
|---|