Background: Receptive Language Disorder (RLD) is a condition where a child has trouble understanding and processing words. This can affect the child’s ability to communicate, learn and play with others. Hearing loss is a common cause of language disorders including RLD leading to difficulties with behaviour and poor academic achievement. Early intervention with speech and language therapy improves language outcomes. Brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA), which assess Brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP), is a non-invasive and objective way to evaluate functional integrity of auditory pathway. It evaluates hearing in terms of the degree of hearing loss and the type of hearing loss.
Aims: The study was done to assess the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential in children aged 1-3 years with receptive language disorder and to assess if any hearing loss is present by finding out the auditory threshold.
Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was done in a Neurophysiology labof Eastern region of India between December, 2017 to January, 2019. 60 children with receptive language disorder from Paediatric Medicine or otorhinolaryngology (ENT) Department were taken as subjects. They were further assessed by the Early Language Milestone Scale 2 and then subjected to monaural threshold BAEP test after taking proper consent and ethical clearance.Statistical analysis was done by Student t test,
Results: The prolongation of wave ‘I’ and wave ‘V’ latency along with inter peak latencies (III-V, I-V) in both ears compared to Age matched controls was significant (P< 0.05). The auditory threshold was higher in both ears in children with receptive language disorder. The findings of evaluation by Early Language Milestone Scale 2 corresponded to that of BAEP findings.
Conclusions: The above study suggests that there is both central and peripheral neuropathy affecting auditory pathway of the subjects having receptive language disorder.
Keywords: BERA, Speech and Language impairment, Wave ‘V’, Hearing threshold, Interpeak latencies.

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Dr Mandrita Chatterjee

Junior Resident, Department of Physiology, R. G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India