Auditory evoked magnetic fields in patients with absent brainstem responses due to auditory neuropathy with optic atrophy

ObjectiveTo examine whether auditory evoked fields (AEFs) can be used to objectively evaluate hearing in patients with absent auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) due to auditory neuropathy.MethodsSubjects were 3 patients with auditory neuropathy, 1 male aged 29 years and 2 females aged 18 and 27 years, with absence of click evoked ABRs for bilateral ear stimuli at a level of 105 dB nHL. All patients also had optic atrophy. AEFs were measured with a helmet-shaped magnetoencephalography system for 2.0 kHz tone bursts of 60 ms duration to the unilateral ear.ResultsBihemispherical AEF responses were clearly recorded in all three patients for either left or right ear stimulus. Although the latencies of N100m were severely prolonged and amplitudes were considerably decreased compared to the normal range of N100m responses in our facilities, N100m latency of AEF was shorter in the contralateral hemisphere to the stimulated ear, as usually found in normal subjects, despite the abnormal delay in N100m latency in all conditions.ConclusionsPresence and abnormality of auditory cortical responses can be evaluated by AEFs in patients with auditory neuropathy even under null responses in ABRs.SignificanceAEFs are useful to evaluate residual hearing in patients with auditory neuropathy.

► Auditory evoked fields were measured in three patients with auditory neuropathy and optic atrophy showing absence of auditory brainstem responses. ► Bihemispherical AEF responses were clearly recorded in all patients for either left or right ear stimulus. ► Presence and abnormality of auditory cortical responses can be evaluated by AEFs in patients with auditory neuropathy even in the absence of ABRs.