Brainstem processing following unilateral and bilateral hearing-aid amplification

Neuroreport. 2013 Apr 17;24(6):271-5. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0b013e32835f8b30.

Abstract

Following previous research suggesting hearing-aid experience may induce functional plasticity at the peripheral level of the auditory system, click-evoked auditory brainstem response was recorded at first fitting and 12 weeks after hearing-aid use by unilateral and bilateral hearing-aid users. A control group of experienced hearing-aid users was tested over a similar time scale. No significant alterations in auditory brainstem response latency or amplitude were identified in any group. This does not support the hypothesis of plastic changes in the peripheral auditory system induced by hearing-aid use for 12 weeks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Audiometry, Pure-Tone
  • Auditory Threshold / physiology
  • Brain Stem / physiology*
  • Cues
  • Electrophysiological Phenomena
  • Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / physiology
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Hearing Aids*
  • Hearing Loss / physiopathology
  • Hearing Loss / therapy
  • Humans
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology