Linear and nonlinear changes in the auditory brainstem response of aging humans

Objective This experiment was designed to characterize the changes in linear and nonlinear temporal interactions in the aging auditory brainstem of humans using maximum length sequence (MLS) stimulation. Methods The MLS technique uses a quasi-random sequence of clicks and silences to determine the linear (linear averaging of single responses) and nonlinear (interactions between pairs or triplets of responses) temporal interactions in the auditory brainstem response (ABR). A group of 30 normal hearing females aged between 11 and 61 years were tested. They were divided in three groups: young (<24 years); middle (24–41 years) and old (>41 years). Results The linear component showed a decrease in wave 5 amplitude with age which could also be related to increased thresholds for higher frequencies. The nonlinear component of the MLS-ABR showed significant differences between middle and old groups for wave 1 and 5 latencies and inter-wave interval (1–5). Conclusions The results suggest that the linear and nonlinear components of the MLS-ABR could be more sensitive to changes occurring in the auditory system before any functionally significant changes in hearing status. Significance The nonlinear components of the auditory brainstem could be used as an investigative tool to assess early changes in the aging auditory brainstem in young middle-aged women.