Early Averaged Electroencephalic Responses to Clicks in Neonates

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The early (approximately 8–50 msec latency) averaged electroencephalic responses (AER) to 55 dB HL clicks were elicited from ten normal newborns 36 to 72 hours after birth. Early components were observed in all ten babies with 512 clicks presented at 4.5/sec and 9.0/sec. Mean peak latencies in msec were: Po — 11, Na — 17, Pa — 28, Nb — 35, and Pb — 51. The neonates' early component waveforms closely resemble those of adults. The latency and waveform stability of the early components in neonates and adults support the belief in the primary auditory (lemniscal) system as the mediator of these responses. Furthermore, the repeatability of the early components of the AER makes them more reliable response indices than the late components (approximately 50–400 msec) for audiometry with neonates.