A Pilot Study for Gender Variation and Correlation of Anthropometric Parameters on the Variables of Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials in Audiometrically Normal Young Adults

Abstract

Head size gender and BMI have found to have correlation with Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEPs) in some studies but other have expressed doubts. There is no common consensus. To add to the complexity, the range of normative values also vary. The present pilot study was done aiming to study effect of gender and anthropometric parameters on the variables of BAEPs in audiometrically normal young adults and collect normative values for further studies. This was an observational prospective, cross sectional, pilot study conducted among 100 medical students with 50 males and 50 females. The selected students fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria and had given informed consent for the study. In the study RMS EMG EP MARK II machine was used to measure and record the absolute, interpeak and wave amplitudes. The data was collected and statistically analysed. The BAEP measurements from the subjects were compared with gender and anthropometric measurements. The age of students enrolled in subject ranged from 18–21 years. The difference between Left and Right ears Wave I, III and V, besides I-Ia and V-Va difference was found to be significant; while differences between male and female peak latencies of Wave III (left and right) and V (left and right) and Wave IV right ear, I-V IPL and V-Va of Right ear were found to be statistically significant. BMI did not show any statistically significant correlation with BAEPs. AEP results were definitely individual effected by gender, with latency duration more among males than females in most BAERs but were significant in few. The head circumference of a person appears to affect the BAER. BMI in the study was not significant with BAER variables.