The Journal of Laryngology & Otology

Table of Contents - July 1995 - Volume 109, Issue 07  

Main Articles

Dilemmas in auditory assessment of developmentally retarded children using behavioural observation audiometry and brain stem evoked response audiometry

V. Rupaa1 c1

a1 Department of ENT, Speech and Hearing, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, India.

Abstract

The records of 94 consecutive developmentally retarded children with speech retardation and suspected hearing loss who underwent auditory assessment by both conventional behavioural observation audiometry (BOA) and brain stem evoked response audiometry (BERA) were analysed. In 54 children (57.4 percent) there was good agreement between the results of both techniques leading to a clearcut diagnosis. In 22 children a diagnosis was possible only by the results of BERA as the results of BOA were inconclusive. Of the remaining 18 children, two groups could be identified whose results posed a dilemma. Group 1 (n = 7) consisted of children whose BOA test results differed considerably from their BERA results. Group 2 (n = 11) consisted of children in whom there was no discernible response by BERA while the response by BOA was either inconsistent (n = 5) or not elicitable (n = 6). The specific strategies to be adopted for hearing assessment in these situations are discussed.

(Accepted January 29 1995)

Key words

Correspondence:

c1 Dr V. Rupa, M.S., D.L.O., Department of ENT, Speech and Hearing, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore 632004, India. Fax: 091 416 22103

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