Normal neonatal brainstem auditory evoked potentials

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials present a unique opportunity to assess the neuronal and auditory status of the newborn. To date, sample data have been few in number, thereby limiting their interpretive value. The present study was undertaken in an effort to accrue data generated from a large sample size. One hundred fifty-five normal neonates were tested within the first 36 hours of life. No subjects qualified for inclusion in the High Risk Register for Hearing Loss established by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Each ear was tested independently, using click stimuli at a rate of 30.1 per second at 65 dB HTL. Test runs were replicated for purposes of reliability. A run consisted of 2,000 sweeps of data, each being 10 ms in length. Identification of wave forms were assessed by two or more observers. Total agreement was required from all observers for inclusion of wave peaks for analysis. Latencies of onset of stimulus to peak were obtained. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics were computed. Results provide standardized data for comparison.