Revista CEFAC
https://revistacefac.org.br/article/doi/10.1590/1982-0216/20262825425
Revista CEFAC
Original Articles

Effects of forward masking on cortical auditory evoked potentials in senescence

Pós-mascaramento nos potenciais evocados auditivos corticais na senescência  

Danielle Samara Bandeira Duarte; Luciana Pimentel Fernandes de Melo; Mônyka Ferreira Borges Rocha; João Pedro Santos de Queiroz; Silvana Maria Sobral Griz; Denise Costa Menezes; Diana Babini Lapa de Albuquerque Britto; Karina Paes Advíncula

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216/20262825425 Revista CEFAC, vol.28, n2, e5425, 2026
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Abstract

Purpose: to analyze the effects of forward masking in Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials in normally hearing young adults, adults, middle-aged, and elderly subjects.

Methods: an analytical study of an observational and cross-sectional nature. Sixty volunteers underwent pre-collection hearing exams, including history, cognition testing, and basic audiological evaluation. For electrophysiological evaluation, Speech Shaped Noise and the speech stimulus /da/ were used. Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials were obtained under two conditions: unmasked and masked (delta-t 64 ms). Trace analysis considered the P1, N1, and P2 components. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Wilcoxon tests, considering p < 0.05.

Results: despite normal hearing thresholds, middle-aged and elderly individuals showed higher thresholds. In the unmasked condition, latency increased with age. In terms of amplitudes, the elderly showed increased P1 amplitudes. In the delta-t 64 ms condition, the elderly exhibited lower latencies in the P1 component and higher ones in P2. Regarding amplitudes, the elderly showed increased P1 and N1 components and decreased P2.

Conclusion: in Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials, in the unmasked condition, prolonged latencies of all components and increased P1 component amplitude are observed in the elderly, indicating possible changes in the auditory cortex. In the delta-t 64 ms condition, the elderly demonstrated shorter latency in the P1 component and higher amplitudes in the P1 and N1 components, suggesting increased auditory effort.

Keywords

Electrophysiology; Evoked Potentials, Auditory; Speech Perception; Aging; Hearing

Resumo

Objetivo: analisar o pós-mascaramento nos Potenciais Evocados Auditivos Corticais em adultos jovens, adultos, meia-idade e idosos com audição normal.

Método: trata-se de um estudo analítico de natureza observacional e transversal. 60 voluntários foram submetidos a exames auditivos pré-coleta, incluindo anamnese, teste de cognição e avaliação audiológica básica. Para a avaliação eletrofisiológica, foi utilizado um ruído Speech Shaped Noise e um estímulo de fala /da/. Os Potenciais Evocados Auditivos Corticais foram obtidos em duas condições: sem mascaramento e com mascaramento (delta-t 64 ms). A análise dos traçados considerou os componentes P1, N1 e P2. A análise estatística foi realizada por ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis e teste de Wilcoxon, considerando p < 0,05.

Resultados: os resultados revelaram que apesar de limiares auditivos normais, meia-idade e idosos apresentaram limiares mais altos. Na condição sem mascaramento, observou-se aumento nas latências com a idade. Em amplitudes, idosos mostraram aumento em P1. Na condição delta-t 64 ms, idosos apresentaram menores latências no componente P1, e maiores no P2. Quanto às amplitudes, revelou-se que os idosos apresentaram um aumento nos componentes P1 e N1 e redução em P2.

Conclusão: idosos apresentaram Potenciais Evocados Auditivos Corticais, na condição sem mascaramento, com latências prolongadas de todos os componentes e aumento na amplitude do componente P1, indicando possíveis mudanças no córtex auditivo. Além disso, na condição delta-t 64 ms, eles demonstraram menor latência no componente P1 e maiores amplitudes nos componentes P1 e N1, sugerindo maior esforço auditivo.

Palavras-chave

Eletrofisiologia; Potenciais Evocados Auditivos; Percepção da Fala; Envelhecimento; Audição

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Submitted date:
08/31/2025

Accepted date:
12/03/2025

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