(489) The Impact of Menopausal Status on Auditory Brainstem Responses

Introduction: This study aims to determine the effect of decreased estrogen levels due to menopause on auditory brainstem response measurements.

Methods: A retrospective study on pre- and post-menopausal females (pre-M, post-M) and on age-matched males presenting between January 2010 and July 2022 who underwent auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. ABR measurements studied were wave I, III, and V latencies, and interpeak latencies at click rates of 11.1/s and 57/s; amplitudes of waves I, III, V, and V/I ratio; and audiogram measurements at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test, t-test, and two-way ANOVA test were used.

Results: 164 subjects (101 female and 64 male) were included. Post-M had significantly greater latencies (msec) than pre-M of wave V at click rates of 11.1/s and 57/s. Post-M had a significantly smaller wave I amplitude (uV) than pre-M. Post-M had a significantly higher wave V/I amplitude ratio than pre-M. Pre-M had significantly shorter latencies than young males at a click rate of 11.1/s for wave III, wave V; and at click rates of 57/s in wave V. Post-M had significantly shorter latencies than older males at a click rate of 11.1/s for wave III, wave V; and at click rates of 57/s for wave V. A two-way ANOVA revealed a statistically significant interaction between the effects of age category and gender on V/I amplitude.

Conclusions: Post-M has significantly longer latencies, lower amplitudes, and a higher V/I amplitude ratio than pre-M. Compared to age-matched males, pre-M and post-M have significantly shorter latencies and higher amplitudes than younger and older males. A significant interaction between age category and gender was found in the V/I amplitude ratio.