Auditory brain stem response in young and old guinea pigs.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize age-related auditory changes in genetically similar guinea pigs. BACKGROUND: In humans and animals, changes in hearing are known to occur with age. METHODS: Brain stem-evoked responses were measured in genetically similar guinea pigs that ranged 6-36 months in age. Changes in hearing and the input/output function curve were determined. RESULTS: Threshold shift with increase in age was seen. Marked reduction in amplitude of response with increasing age was also demonstrated. No change was seen in latency or interpeak interval. CONCLUSIONS: In genetically similar guinea pigs, age-related changes in threshold occurred. Latency and interpeak intervals remained unchanged. Amplitude of response decreased substantially after 12 months of age to a greater extent than predicted by threshold shifts alone. This phenomenon appears important in understanding the pathophysiology of age-related hearing loss.