Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC), Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, Pretoria.
S Afr J Commun Disord. 2024 Oct 21;71(1):e1-e11. doi: 10.4102/sajcd.v71i1.1047.
Animal audiology utilizes brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER) as a non-invasive tool to assess hearing in animals, including Holstein dairy cows. Understanding cows' auditory capabilities is critical for their welfare, especially given their exposure to farm noise.
This study provides preliminary normative BAER data for Holstein cows by focusing on absolute and interpeak wave latencies. The objective is to assess the impact of farm noise and expand audiologists' practice scope.
Ten Holstein cows were tested using monoaural broadband click stimuli with contralateral masking. Earphones with foam ear tips were used to minimize environmental noise interference. The BAER responses were recorded via subdermal needle electrodes placed at standardized locations on the cows' heads. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics to determine auditory thresholds and wave latencies.
The cows exhibited auditory thresholds at 90 dB SPL (55 dB nHL). Detailed wave and interpeak latencies were recorded at intensities from 85 to 105 dB SPL. At 90 dB SPL, the average latency for wave V was 5.17 ms, marking the auditory threshold for Holstein cows.
These findings provide key insights into the auditory sensitivity of Holstein cows, highlighting BAER's potential for monitoring auditory health and evaluating the effects of noise pollution on animal welfare. This research underscores the value of integrating animal audiology into the audiologist's scope, ultimately enhancing both animal welfare and farming sustainability.Contribution: This study adds to the limited literature on farm animal auditory health and suggests strategies to improve welfare through better auditory management.
动物听力学利用脑干听觉诱发电位（BAER）作为一种非侵入性工具来评估动物的听力，包括荷斯坦奶牛。了解奶牛的听觉能力对它们的福利至关重要，特别是考虑到它们暴露在农场噪音中。
本研究通过关注绝对和峰间潜伏期，为荷斯坦奶牛提供初步的 BAER 正常数据。目的是评估农场噪音的影响，并扩大听力学家的实践范围。
使用具有对侧掩蔽的单耳宽带点击刺激对 10 头荷斯坦奶牛进行测试。使用带有泡沫耳塞的耳机可最大程度减少环境噪声干扰。BAER 反应通过放置在奶牛头部标准化位置的皮下针电极进行记录。使用描述性统计数据来分析数据，以确定听觉阈值和波潜伏期。
奶牛在 90dB SPL（55dB nHL）时表现出听觉阈值。在 85 至 105dB SPL 的强度下记录了详细的波和峰间潜伏期。在 90dB SPL 时，波 V 的平均潜伏期为 5.17ms，标志着荷斯坦奶牛的听觉阈值。
这些发现为荷斯坦奶牛的听觉敏感性提供了关键见解，突出了 BAER 在监测听觉健康和评估噪声污染对动物福利的影响方面的潜力。这项研究强调了将动物听力学纳入听力学家范围的价值，最终提高了动物福利和农业可持续性。
本研究增加了关于农场动物听觉健康的有限文献，并提出了通过更好的听觉管理来改善福利的策略。
