Exploring Relationships Between Auditory Brainstem Response Measures and Functional Listening Outcomes in Older Adults
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
28-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
28-4-2026 2:00 PM
Description
Introduction: Hearing loss continues to be a major health condition for aging populations. Understanding the progression of hearing loss and the relationship to speech understanding and listening fatigue is important.
Purpose: To use clinical, behavioral, psychosocial, and electrophysiologic variables to better understand the effects of aging in relation to naturally progressive hearing loss, such as increased listening fatigue.
Methods: ABRs from 50 adults aged 60–80 years with no greater than moderate hearing loss were retrospectively reviewed. Latency and amplitude measures for Waves I and V, as well as the I–V interpeak latency, were obtained. Functional listening outcomes were assessed using the Vanderbilt Listening Fatigue Scale, and a speech-in-noise task. Relationships between ABR metrics and behavioral measures were explored using correlation analyses.
Results: Initial analyses suggest modest increases in Wave V latency with age, whereas Wave I latency changes were minimal. I–V interpeak latency showed little association with age. Brainstem latency measures demonstrated limited relationships with listening fatigue and speech-in-noise performance. Behavioral measures of listening fatigue and speech-in-noise ability appeared moderately related.
Discussion: Currently there is limited literature evaluating and reviewing wave I latency and amplitude in relation to age. Preliminary findings suggest that ABR latency measures alone may not fully explain functional listening difficulties in older adults. These results highlight the potential role of higher-level auditory processing and listening effort in age-related hearing challenges.
Recommended Citation
Kalhoefer, Meghan; Do, Vanna; and Lo, Christina G., "Exploring Relationships Between Auditory Brainstem Response Measures and Functional Listening Outcomes in Older Adults" (2026). School of Allied Health Professions Research Day. 41.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ahrd/2026/posters/41
Exploring Relationships Between Auditory Brainstem Response Measures and Functional Listening Outcomes in Older Adults
Introduction: Hearing loss continues to be a major health condition for aging populations. Understanding the progression of hearing loss and the relationship to speech understanding and listening fatigue is important.
Purpose: To use clinical, behavioral, psychosocial, and electrophysiologic variables to better understand the effects of aging in relation to naturally progressive hearing loss, such as increased listening fatigue.
Methods: ABRs from 50 adults aged 60–80 years with no greater than moderate hearing loss were retrospectively reviewed. Latency and amplitude measures for Waves I and V, as well as the I–V interpeak latency, were obtained. Functional listening outcomes were assessed using the Vanderbilt Listening Fatigue Scale, and a speech-in-noise task. Relationships between ABR metrics and behavioral measures were explored using correlation analyses.
Results: Initial analyses suggest modest increases in Wave V latency with age, whereas Wave I latency changes were minimal. I–V interpeak latency showed little association with age. Brainstem latency measures demonstrated limited relationships with listening fatigue and speech-in-noise performance. Behavioral measures of listening fatigue and speech-in-noise ability appeared moderately related.
Discussion: Currently there is limited literature evaluating and reviewing wave I latency and amplitude in relation to age. Preliminary findings suggest that ABR latency measures alone may not fully explain functional listening difficulties in older adults. These results highlight the potential role of higher-level auditory processing and listening effort in age-related hearing challenges.