A Cross-Sectional Study of Bera in Adult Allergic Rhinitis Patients

Abstract

Introduction:  Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is caused by many aeroallergens. The diagnosis of Allergic rhinitis is based upon the concordance of the history and diagnostic tests. the condition of the inner ear and or auditory nerve can be obtained through the brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA) and is an objective way of recording brain stem potentials in response to click stimuli.

Aims: The present study is undertaken to assess the otological and audiological status of patients with allergic rhinitis in our hospital and to estimate the hearing impairment and its magnitude in the abnormal study subjects using Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry.

Methodology: The present study was a single-centre cross- sectional, observational study. Patients presenting with complaints and symptoms of allergic rhinitis to the outpatient Department from January 2020 to June 2021 were recruited for this study. A total of 45 cases were included in the study. All patients underwent BERA test.

Results: The Mean (SD) with respect to duration of I-V IPL of BERA among patients with mild, moderate and severe NSS category was 4.0 ms (0.07), 4.1 ms (0.10) and 4.0 ms (0.12) respectively.

Discussion: The involvement of cochlea seen as per the SNR interpretation of DPOAE is not a severe affliction. This was similar to findings of Vikas et al and Nursoy.M.A et al, while it differed from studies done by Singh et al.

Conclusion: No statistically significant wave I latency or wave I-V IPL in BERA suggests normal auditory pathway and no profound cochlear dysfunction.