I potenziali evocati uditivi negli Uccelli Strigiformi

Abstract

The following work is a pilot study about the use of the BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) test in Strigiformes birds. The test was performed on a sample of 30 patients hospitalized and neurologically evaluated for clinical reasons. All subjects were subjected to the BAER examination, performed with acoustic stimulation in the form of Click Standard, with an intensity of 80 dB nHL. Subcutaneous monopolar scalp electrodes were used, positioned as follows: the positive electrode on the vertex, the negative electrode near the auditory meatus and the neutral electrode in the retro-occipital area. The resulting tracings seem to be morphologically and quantitatively comparable with those obtained from other mammalian species. Based on the procedures used, the low invasiveness, the relative simplicity of execution and the cost-effectiveness the results seem to confirm the feasibility and applicability of the BAER test in wild animals such as Strigiformes birds. We hope to be able to provide recovery centers with an objective test capable of evaluating the functionality of the auditory pathways and the brainstem of animals so that it is possible to have prognostic elements that allow them to make correct choices on the reintroduction of animals in the natural environment with some level of certainty. The study was carried out in collaboration with the Parco Baleno recovery center in Mantova.