The International Tinnitus Journal

Evaluation of Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) in Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Purpose: Changes in the central nervous system are observed due to vitamin B12 deficiency. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of vitamin B12 deficiency on the central auditory tracks utilizing ABR.

Material and Method: 30 individuals (16 females, 14 males) with vitamin B12 deficiency and 30 individuals (17 females, 13 males) without any hearing problem and B12 deficiency have participated in the study. The ages of the individuals with vitamin B12 deficiency varied between 18 and 39, with a mean of 28±5.6, The ages of the individuals with normal hearing in the control group were between 18 and 42, with a mean of 30±6.2. The I, III and V. wave latencies and I-III, I-V and III-V inter-wave latencies and amplitudes of the participants with vitamin B12 deficiency and with normal hearing were evaluated using click stimulus.

Results: No statistically significant change was observed between the group with vitamin B12 deficiency and the normal group in the I, III and V. wave latencies and the I-III, I-V and III-V inter-latency values and amplitudes

Conclusion: Although vitamin B12 deficiency effects the central nervous system, normal latencies and amplitudes were obtained in the ABR test. It was especially observed that the brainstem region, where the I, III ve V. Waves originate, is not effected by vitamin B12 deficiency.