Brainstem auditory evoked responses: Objective hearing threshold assessment in Holstein cows

South African Journal of Communication Disorders

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Brainstem auditory evoked responses: Objective hearing threshold assessment in Holstein cows
 
Creator Naudé, Alida Erasmus, Lize-Mari de Swardt, Liesl Bornman, Juan van Marlé-Köster, Este
 
Subject Audiology; Veterinary science absolute wave latencies; animal audiology; auditory sensitivity; BAER, cattle; Holsteins cows; interpeak latencies
Description Background: Animal audiology utilizes brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER) as a non-invasive tool to assess hearing in animals, including Holstein dairy cows. Understanding cows’ auditory capabilities is critical for their welfare, especially given their exposure to farm noise.Objectives: This study provides preliminary normative BAER data for Holstein cows by focusing on absolute and interpeak wave latencies. The objective is to assess the impact of farm noise and expand audiologists’ practice scope.Method: Ten Holstein cows were tested using monoaural broadband click stimuli with contralateral masking. Earphones with foam ear tips were used to minimize environmental noise interference. The BAER responses were recorded via subdermal needle electrodes placed at standardized locations on the cows’ heads. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics to determine auditory thresholds and wave latencies.Results: The cows exhibited auditory thresholds at 90 dB SPL (55 dB nHL). Detailed wave and interpeak latencies were recorded at intensities from 85 to 105 dB SPL. At 90 dB SPL, the average latency for wave V was 5.17 ms, marking the auditory threshold for Holstein cows.Conclusion: These findings provide key insights into the auditory sensitivity of Holstein cows, highlighting BAER’s potential for monitoring auditory health and evaluating the effects of noise pollution on animal welfare. This research underscores the value of integrating animal audiology into the audiologist’s scope, ultimately enhancing both animal welfare and farming sustainability.Contribution: This study adds to the limited literature on farm animal auditory health and suggests strategies to improve welfare through better auditory management.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor
Date 2024-10-21
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — Original quantitative research
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/sajcd.v71i1.1047
 
Source South African Journal of Communication Disorders; Vol 71, No 1 (2024); 11 pages 2225-4765 0379-8046
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/view/1047/2339 https://sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/view/1047/2340 https://sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/view/1047/2341 https://sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/view/1047/2342
 
Coverage South Africa — Holstein Cows
Rights Copyright (c) 2024 Alida Naudé, Lize-Mari Erasmus, Liesl de Swardt, Juan Bornman, Este van Marlé-Köster https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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