[Auditory evoked potentials in individuals over 50 years].

BACKGROUND auditory evoked potentials. AIM to describe the results of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (PEATE), middle latency auditory evoked potentials (PEAML) and cognitive potential (P300) in individuals over 50 years. METHOD this study was developed at the Speech and Hearing Investigation Laboratory in Auditory Evoked Potentials of the Speech-Language and Hearing Course of the Department of Physiotherapy, Speech-language and Hearing Sciences and Occupational Therapy of FMUSP. Twenty four subjects (45 ears) were evaluated through PEATE and P300, and only 18 of these subjects (36 ears) were evaluated through PEAML. All subjects had ages between 51 and 74 years and were divided in three groups: GI (50-59 years), GII (60-69 years) and GIII (70-79 years). All subjects presented either normal hearing or neurossensorial hearing loss of a moderate-severe level in the PEATE, and of a moderate level in the PEAML and in the P300. The frequency range evaluated in the PEATE and in the PEAML varied from 3000 to 6000Hz, while in the P300 it varied from 1000 to 1500Hz. For the statistical analyses of the data, the Kruskal-Wallis test, the Mann-Whitney test and the two proportion equality test were used. RESULTS significant statistical differences were simultaneously observed between the groups for the interpeak I-V in the PEATE and for the Na wave latency in the PEAML - in the PEATE the difference was caused by GIII and in the PEAML it was caused by GI. A statistically significant difference between the groups was observed for the latency of the P300 component. Considerable alterations were also found regarding the quality of the responses of the auditory evoked potentials, indicating a strong correlation between the deterioration of the responses and the increase in age. CONCLUSION the aging process of the auditory system progressively affects the auditory pathways throughout the brainstem and temporal lobe.