Auditory neurophysiological characteristics in unilateral deafness: influence of deafness side.

Background: The characteristics of auditory processing and reorganization after unilateral deafness remain unclear.

Aims/objectives: This study aimed to examine subcortical and cortical auditory neurophysiological features in young adults with unilateral deafness according to the side of deafness.

Methods: Patient group: A total of 27 men (25.93- ± 3.64-year old) with unilateral deafness [15 right-sided and 12 left-sided deafness (L-SD)] were included. Twenty-one adult males (29.90 ± 3.05 years) with normal bilateral hearing were included in the Normal Control group. Neurodiagnostic Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR) and Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials (CAEP) tests were performed on all participants. ABR and CAEP results were compared between groups.

Results: In the right-sided deafness (R-SD) group, ABR wave V amplitudes (left ear) were higher than the control group, and the III-V interpeak latencies were found to be shorter (p = .007, p = .032, respectively). In the L-SD group: CAEP wave P1N1 and N1P2 amplitudes were higher than in the R-SD group (p = .037, p = .015, respectively).

Conclusions and significance: Auditory neurophysiological biomarkers in adults with unilateral deafness differ according to the side of the deafness. The results of this study may provide preliminary information for the development of appropriate rehabilitation methods according to the deafness side after single-sided deafness.