[Audiologic evaluation of children by auditory responses of the brainstem].

Brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER) were recorded in 112 children (0-14 years) submitted to us from a ORL source to evaluate the auditory function. The othologic examination and different audiologic tests (pure tone audiometry, impedance measurement, stapedial reflex) showed no definite results due to several reasons including age, uncooperativeness, low reliability, or communication impairment. The following items were evaluated: 1) Wave V threshold. 2) Latency-intensity function. 3) Interwave timing, I-V amplitude ratio, wave amputation, response to the changing rate of stimulation. Results showed the utility of BAER to: 1) Confirm the audiologic impairment: 2) determine if the anomalies are uni or bilateral; 3) quantify the intensity of hearing loss, and 4) establish a topographic diagnosis of the disease.