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Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology
Published in: Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology 2/2024

09-02-2024 | Original Article

Frequency-Following Responses in Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review

Authors: Laura Jacxsens, Lana Biot, Carles Escera, Annick Gilles, Emilie Cardon, Vincent Van Rompaey, Willem De Hertogh, Marc J. W. Lammers

Published in: Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology | Issue 2/2024

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Abstract

Purpose

This systematic review aims to assess the impact of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) on various frequency-following response (FFR) parameters.

Methods

Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases up to January 2023. Studies evaluating FFRs in patients with SNHL and normal hearing controls were included.

Results

Sixteen case–control studies were included, revealing variability in acquisition parameters. In the time domain, patients with SNHL exhibited prolonged latencies. The specific waves that were prolonged differed across studies. There was no consensus regarding wave amplitude in the time domain. In the frequency domain, focusing on studies that elicited FFRs with stimuli of 170 ms or longer, participants with SNHL displayed a significantly smaller fundamental frequency (F0). Results regarding changes in the temporal fine structure (TFS) were inconsistent.

Conclusion

Patients with SNHL may require more time for processing (speech) stimuli, reflected in prolonged latencies. However, the exact timing of this delay remains unclear. Additionally, when presenting longer stimuli (≥ 170 ms), patients with SNHL show difficulties tracking the F0 of (speech) stimuli. No definite conclusions could be drawn on changes in wave amplitude in the time domain and the TFS in the frequency domain. Patient characteristics, acquisition parameters, and FFR outcome parameters differed greatly across studies. Future studies should be performed in larger and carefully matched subject groups, using longer stimuli presented at the same intensity in dB HL for both groups, or at a carefully determined maximum comfortable loudness level.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Frequency-Following Responses in Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review
Authors
Laura Jacxsens
Lana Biot
Carles Escera
Annick Gilles
Emilie Cardon
Vincent Van Rompaey
Willem De Hertogh
Marc J. W. Lammers
Publication date
09-02-2024
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology / Issue 2/2024
Print ISSN: 1525-3961
Electronic ISSN: 1438-7573
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10162-024-00932-7

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