To explore the significance of brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) in the rapid recovery of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) combined with hearing impairment.

The clinical data of patients with TBI combined with hearing impairment treated in the Department of Neurosurgery of Huzhou First People’s Hospital from July 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were divided into non-neurotic damage group, peripheral nerve damage group and central nerve damage group according to BAEP classification. The hearing impairment and neurological deficits were evaluated, and the correlation between brainstem auditory evoked potential classification and hearing impairment was analyzed.

A total of 81 TBI patients with hearing impairment were enrolled, of which 34 were in the non-neurological damage group, 25 were in the peripheral nerve damage group, and 22 were in the central nerve damage group. The GCS scores of the three groups had statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The hearing loss of patients in the central nerve damage group was the most obvious, followed by the peripheral nerve damage group. BAEP grade was positively correlated with NIHSS score (r=0.796, P<0.001).

BAEP can detect the hearing function and the degree of brain damage in patients with TBI. The higher the grade, the more severe the hearing damage and the more difficult the rehabilitation work faced by the patient. BAEP can provide scientific and reasonable neuro-electrophysiological basis for early diagnosis and treatment of patients, accelerated rehabilitation programs and corresponding nursing strategies. The development of personalized accelerated rehabilitation programs according to BAEP classification is beneficial to lay the foundation for subsequent diagnosis and treatment.