The brainstem auditory evoked potential in infants and children

Abstract

The brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) is a neurophysiological study that provides functional information about the auditory system and brainstem. It provides information that is different from any other form of evaluation. This report tries to summarize technical and clinical information that will make the BAEP more meaningful for the practicing technologist and clinician. Attention is focused on the BAEP as it is used in infants and children, starting with a brief review of auditory physiology, then progressing to normative data, clinical utility, physical setup, preparing the patient, comments on technique, and comments on interpretation. This is not an exhaustive review of the topic, and many important elements of clinical utility had to be left out. This review tries to focus on recent references and on practical issues, and it relies on the experience and opinions of the author. Emphasis has been placed on the use of the BAEP by the neurologist, but an attempt has been made to acknowledge the importance of audiology and otolaryngology as well as speech and language science. Particular emphasis has been placed on the use of the BAEP in assessing the premature infant and young infant at risk for neurological and audiological injury. An enormous amount of published data is available in the literature, and much of it had to be left out of this review. However, the reader is encouraged to develop an enthusiasm for the BAEP and to further explore the broad range of its clinical uses.