Maturational Changes in the Intensity Latency Relation of the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials in Humans

Abstract

The effects of stimulus intensity variation on brainstem auditory evoked potentials have been studied on 111 preterm, 36 fullterm neonates and 50 adults. When intensity decreases the lengthening of latencies is greater in preterm neonates. This effect is clearer with wave I than waves III and V and suggests an immaturity of the basal part of the human cochlea in preterm neonates.

Key Words:

• cochlear maturation
• auditory maturation
• click intensity
• neonate