Inconsistencies in the correlation between loss of brain stem auditory evoked response waves and postoperative deafness.

This case underscores the difficulty of predicting postoperative hearing status from brain stem auditory evoked response (BAER) monitoring when wave I is preserved and all later waves are lost. During an operation involving the base of the skull, sudden and irreversible loss of all BAER waves beyond wave I occurred unilaterally. Wave I was preserved, with reduced amplitude and minimal latency shift. There was no permanent postoperative hearing sensitivity loss or speech discrimination loss.