Effect of selective attention on auditory brainstem response

Abstract

Introduction

Auditory selective attention can enhance the processing of relevant information and inhibit irrelevant information. The attentional modulation of auditory processing is evidenced through cortical auditory event-related potentials and frequency following response. On the other hand, such attentional effects on brainstem evoked potentials showed mixed results. Hence, the current study aimed to investigate the effect of selective attention on Auditory Brainstem Response.

Methods

Sixteen young adults with bilateral normal hearing sensitivity were recruited for the study, and their auditory brainstem responses were recorded using IHS Smart EP version 3.92 for active listening, passive listening with the visual task, and passive listening with visual distracter conditions.

Results

The statistical analysis of the wave-V latency and amplitude obtained from three conditions revealed no effect on the latency; however, peak V amplitude was lower in passive listening with visual distractor condition than in active listening and passive listening with visual task condition. Further attentional modulation was seen only on the contralateral montage and not on the ipsilateral montage.

Conclusion

The current study results demonstrate the attentional modulation at earlier stages of auditory processing as evidenced by the increased amplitude of peak V.

Keywords:

• Attentional modulation
• auditory brainstem response
• electroencephalography

Acknowledgement

The authors thank Department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka for permitting us to conduct the study.

Ethical approval

The present study was approved by the Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (IEC KMC MLR 11-18/465).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

No sponsorship or funding was provided for this research.