Relationship between Auditory Long Latency Response and Speech Identification Scores in Individuals with Auditory Neuropathy

Abstract

The present study aimed at investigating the relationship between speech identification scores and ALLR parameters in quiet and at 0 dB SNR in individuals with auditory neuropathy. In the process, 6 individuals with auditory dys-synchrony and 15 individuals with normal hearing in the age range of 12- 40 years participated in the study. Speech identification scores were assessed by bi-syllabic words with and without noise. Cortical auditory evoked potentials were recorded for click and speech stimuli /ba/, /ga/ and /da/. Results revealed that there was no significant correlation between speech identification scores and parameters of ALLR on both normal hearing individuals and individuals with AD. However, the presence of ALLR does correlate with speech identification scores in both the groups in both the conditions. Speech evoked ALLRs had larger amplitude than click evoked in both the groups and conditions (with and without noise). Among the speech stimulus, /da/ elicited more number of ALLR responses in individuals with AD in both the conditions. To conclude, speech evoked ALLR can be recommended for clinical use for both normal hearing individuals and for clinical population (individuals with auditory dys-synchrony). /da/ stimulus could be used to elicit ALLR in individuals with AD.