A BAER latency increase of 0.9 ms for both left and right wave V in a 10 minute period most likely indicates what?

The observation of a BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) latency increase of 0.9 ms for both left and right wave V over a 10-minute period is indicative of temperature effects, particularly hypothermia. During hypothermia, physiological processes slow down, which can result in prolonged neural conduction times. As body temperature decreases, the neurophysiologic responses can become delayed, causing a measurable increase in latency for auditory evoked potentials.

This latency increase does not typically suggest shifts in audio frequency, since frequency shifts would not uniformly affect both wave V latencies. Improvement in patient thresholds is unlikely to cause a notable increase in latency, as it generally refers to the sensitivity of response rather than a delay. Additionally, while recovery from anesthesia may influence latency, it usually does not produce a systematic increase in latencies comparable to that observed with hypothermia, especially not one that is sustained over a specific period. Thus, the observed clinician’s data aligns most clearly with the effects of hypothermia on neural conduction.