Effect of Age on Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential

Background and Objective: Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) constitute an objective hearing test. These are the potentials recorded from the ear and the scalp in response to a brief auditory stimulation. Several factors may affect the latencies, inter-peak latencies in brainstem auditory evoked potential. So following study was conducted to investigate possible age effects on BAEP. Method: Brainstem auditory evoked potentials recorded in 100 normal healthy subjects of different age groups. (15-24 years and 45 years). Each age groups consist of 25 males and 25 females. BAEP were recorded by using RMS EMG EP MARC II (PC based) machine. The data was statistically analysed. Results: Absolute latencies of the waves I, II, III and IV significantly increases with age. These were no difference found for interpeak latencies with increasing age. Conclusion: significant changes in the BAEPs in our study support the possible role of age as contributive factors for normal variations. So, in clinical practice, different norms be established for different age groups and gender.