Correlation of Threshold of Click-Evoked Auditory Brainstem Response with Pure-Tone Threshold Average in Various Formulas

Seo, Jae Hyun; Jeon, Eun Ju; Park, Yong Soo; Kim, Ju Eun; Kim, Dong Hyun; Nam, In Chul; Lee, Il Hwan; Lee, Ho Seok

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study is to assess the correlation between the threshold of click-evoked auditory brainstem response (ABR) and the pure-tone averages in various formulas.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Data were obtained from 207 patients (326 ears) with sudden sensorineural hearing loss. All subjects underwent hearing threshold evaluation using pure tone audiogram (PTA), speech audiogram and click-evoked ABR. Linear regression analyses were applied to assess the relation between threshold of click-evoked ABR and threshold of separate frequencies of the PTA and to analyze the correlation between threshold for click-evoked ABR and various pure-tone averages.
RESULTS
Results revealed a significant relation between the threshold of click-evoked ABR and PTA thresholds at 0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 3 kHz, and 4 kHz. The highest coefficients of regression and determination were 1.026 for 4 kHz and R2=0.663 for 3 kHz, respectively. The coefficient of regression was highest (=0.995) for the mean of PTA thresholds for 3 kHz and 4 kHz. The coefficient of determination was highest for the mean of PTA thresholds for 1, 2, 3 and 4 kHz (R2=0.732). Multiple regression analysis showed a significant relation between the ABR threshold and PTA thresholds for 1, 3, and 4 kHz (R2=0.732), with highest correlation coefficient at 3 kHz [ABR=11.79+(0.17x1 kHz)+(0.26x3 kHz)+(0.23x4 kHz), (p<0.05)].
CONCLUSION
The threshold of click-evoked ABR correlates best with the mean of PTA thresholds for 1, 2, 3 and 4 kHz. The PTA threshold for 3 kHz has highest correlation with the ABR threshold.