Electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses to electrical stimulation at round window membrane in congenitally deaf children at different ages

Objectives To investigate the usefulness of measuring the electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses (eABRs) to electrical stimulation at the round window niche (RWN) and round window membrane (RWM) and the effect of deafness duration on functions of the auditory pathway to the level of the brainstem. Methods According to the age at cochlear implantation (CI), 99 children with profound sensorineural hearing loss were divided into four groups: ≤12 months (group A), 13–36 months (group B), 37–60 months (group C) and >60 months (group D). The eABRs were evoked by electrical stimulation at RWN and RWM during the operation of CI. Results The higher eABR extraction rate and lower threshold for RWM stimulation was found than those for RWN stimulation. The eⅢ latencies and eⅢ-eⅤ latency intervals for RWM stimulation were similar among four groups. However, children with earlier CI (group A) showed a significantly shorter eⅤ latency than others. Conclusion The eABR evoked by the electrical stimulation at RWM is more stable and sensitive compared with that at RWN for evaluating functions of the auditory conduction pathway. Development in the upper brainstem pathway may be more vulnerable to long-term deafness as revealed by the eⅤ latency.