Int. Adv. Otol. 2010; 6(3) 353-359

Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR) in Gap Junction Beta 2 (GJB2) 35delG Mutation
Aysen Kose,   Burcu Balci, Songul Aksoy,  Ankara University, Vocational School of Health, Turkey

Objective: In the present study, eight nerve and inner hair cells of the Gap Junction Beta 2 (GJB2) 35delG mutation carriers with normal hearing were evaluated by the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) technique.

Materials and Methods: The ABR tests were performed in 90 dB nHL using 11 and 60/s rates and 3 polarities. Twenty-three subjects who carry GJB2 35delG mutation were compared to 25 non-carriers.

Results: Significant difference in air conduction thresholds at all frequencies was found in the left ears of both groups. In case of the right ears, significant differences were observed at all frequencies except 2 and 14 kHz. Carriers effect on ABR I, III and V wave latencies, and I-III, III-V and I-V interpeak latencies were not determined (p<0.05).

Conclusion: It was concluded that the GJB2 35delG mutation did not cause any damage of inner hair cells and eighth nerve function of carriers.