Predicting Auditory Sensitivity from Auditory Brainstem Response Measurements

 

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Abstract

Hearing loss traditionally is defined by the behavioral pure-tone audiogram, which is a measure of auditory threshold as a function of frequency. There are many patients, however, who are unable to provide the voluntary, behavioral responses necessary for the measurement of the pure-tone audiogram. Included in this group of patients are children and adults with developmental disabilities and infants who are referred for diagnostic testing by newborn hearing screening programs. For these patients, audiometric measurements that do not rely on behavioral responses from the patient are needed. This chapter will review three approaches that have been used in combination with auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements in efforts to provide an evoked-potential equivalent of the pure-tone audiogram. The three approaches include the derived-band technique, the notched-noise technique, and tone bursts in quiet. Data are reviewed, and will demonstrate that all three techniques have been shown to provide reasonable estimates of hearing loss, which is necessary information in order to design an effective habilitation program for patients unable to provide voluntary responses to sound.