Document Type

Dissertation

Date Created

11-2023

Embargo Date

11-2025

Abstract

The brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) is a potential recorded from the brainstem when an acoustic stimulus is presented (Kramer & Brown, 2019). In humans, the BAER is typically used to evaluate the integrity of the auditory pathway or to assist in estimating hearing sensitivity in newborns and difficult to test populations. The BAER waveforms are evaluated based on components such as the overall morphology, absolute peak latencies, interpeak latencies, and peak amplitudes. When analyzing these characteristics, normative data are utilized to evaluate if the response is considered to represent normal auditory function. The BAER test can be used to evaluate auditory function and estimate auditory sensitivity in canines as well; however, normative data for canine BAERs did not yet exist within the literature.

The purpose of this doctoral project was to evaluate puppy BAER waveforms to create normative data for multiple aspects of a typical puppy BAER waveform. These data will serve future clinicians as a comparison to help with wave labeling and confidence in their findings. Four hundred and forty-eight waveforms were analyzed from 250 canines. Each waveform was evaluated for the absolute peak latencies of waves I, II, III, and V; the interpeak latencies for the intervals of I-II, I-III, II-V, III-V, and I-V; the absolute amplitude of waves I and V; calculated wave V/I amplitude ratios; and overall waveform morphology. Due to the large number of Dalmatian and Tibetan Terrier puppies within the sample, data for these breeds were also

compared separately to evaluate if there were changes in the absolute or interpeak latencies based on the breed of the canine. The Dalmatian data were further evaluated to determine if the spot or eye color of the Dalmatian increased the prevalence of hearing loss. Means and standard deviations for normal puppy BAERs were found and reported. The average wave I latency was 1.63 milliseconds, the average wave II latency was 2.51 milliseconds, the average wave III latency was 3.11 milliseconds, and the average wave V latency was 4.00 milliseconds. A z-test statistical analysis was used to identify any differences in the responses based on the breed of the puppy; no clinically significant differences were found. A chi-square statistical analysis was used to determine if the prevalence of hearing loss was impacted by the spot or eye color within the Dalmatian population with significant findings in the presence of hearing loss when blue eyes were identified.

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