Adenoid Hypertrophy Effects on Latencies of Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) in Children

Background: Adenoid tissue constitutes a key element of the primary immune defense mechanism of thes upper aero-digestive tract. It is located in the postero-superior wall of the nasopharynx behind the choana. Materials and methods: Total numbers of children were 108 with age range from 3 to 7 years (mean age 5.4 years). Of them, 81 males and 27 females. ABR were measured for the click-evoked response, the stimuli were presented 2000 sweeps at 90dB. ABR was obtained with alternatively rarefraction and condensation polarity. Results: The results indicated that the group of children having grade III and IV of adenoid hypertrophy had significant prolonged waves III and V, interwave latencies I-III & I-V and inter ear latency difference, where as in grade I & II there were not significant prolongations of wave recorded. Conclusion: The significant prolongation of absolute and interwave latencies in higher grades suggests that children with severe adenoid hypertrophy may be at risk for subclinical auditory processing delays, even in the absence of overt sensorineural hearing loss.