Auditory brainstem response (ABR) is a simple, objective, and not invasive method of hearing pathway evaluation, which can be done at any age and which detects the electric activity from inner ear to inferior colliculus. ABR is formed by 7 waves (I - VII), but in general, waves I, III and V are its most important components. The level of sensation is a stimulus unit which is based on the personal phsycoacustic threshold and adding to it a constant intensity of stimulus in decibel (dB) giving the same amount of acoustic energy in case of asymmetric hearing loss. AIM: Evaluate how age influences ABR in men, using level of sensation as a stimulus unit. STUDY DESIGN: Observacional cohort with transversal cut. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifteen men with ages between 20 and 30 years old and 15 men above 60 years were examined and submitted to a clinical selection criteria in order to avoid any other factor that could influence in the results. The absolute latency of waves I, III and V and the interpeak latencies I-III, III-V and I-V were established in the 2 groups and values evaluated statistically. RESULTS: Absolute and interpeak latencies of ABR were similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: In the analysed age group and in the prearranged conditions used in this study, the age was not an influence factor in ABR findings.
auditory brainstem response; hearing; aged patient; hearing threshold; men
