Effects of Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) on Measuring Children’s Auditory Functions: An Experimental Investigation

Abstract

Background: Measuring hearing functional capabilities by Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR) may contribute to better treatment, and possible differences in this process may have important clinical implications.

Objectives: To measure the validity and reliability of ABR through screening, estimating, and intraoperative monitoring auditory capabilities of Arab infants and children and the degree of their seriousness.

Design: Pre-and-posttest was administered to measure the validity and reliability of ABR.

Settings: Al Khars hospital in Al Ahsa’a, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Participants: Subjects of the present study are sixty (60) individuals. The study classified them into two groups: Infants (N= 30, ages range between 0-40 weeks) and children (N=30, ages range between 10 months -3 years), diagnosed with auditory problems.

Procedures: ABR pre-and-posttest measurement was administered during two weeks. The outcomes of the pre-and-posttest were neuropsycholinguistically and statistically analyzed. 

Main outcomes & results: The results of the pre-and-posttest for both infants and children did not vary significantly. Also consistent with expectations, higher scores were not registered for the infants’ measurements due to age factors. The findings from this study largely indicate that ABR is valid and reliable.