Speech evoked auditory brainstem response in learning disabled children

Background: Children with learning disability (LD) are thought to have defi cits of neural origin. Speech evoked auditory
brainstem responses (ABR) can objectively assess the biological processes underlying auditory processing of complex signals,
not revealed using standard ABR responses to clicks. Objective: To assess central auditory processing functions in children
with learning disability through electrophysiological testing. Methods: The present study comprised 60 normal hearing children
of both genders. Cases included 30 learning disabled children and the controls included 30 healthy children without a
learning disability. Each group was further subdivided into three subgroups according to age: subgroup age ranging from 6
to 8 years, 8 to 10 years and 10 to 12 years. All subjects were submitted to full history taking, otological examination,
basic audiological evaluation, and Speech ABR testing. Parameters measured were latencies and amplitudes of the onset
response and the steady state response waves. Results: This study showed that all subjects demonstrated identifi able and
repeatable waves. The reliability of the response peaks was generally very good. All LD children showed statistically signifi cant
delayed latencies of waves V, A and F in both ears in all tested subgroups, compared to their controls. There was a statistically
signifi cant diminished amplitude of wave F in all tested subgroups in both ears compared to their controls. There was
a statistically signifi cant decreased amplitudes of waves D and E in 6 – 8 years subgroup and waves C and D in 8 – 10 years
subgroup compared to their controls. In addition, compared to the controls, the amplitude of waves D and E were statistically
signifi cantly decreased in the 6-8 years subgroup, and waves C and D in the 8-10 years subgroup. Conclusion: Speech
evoked A