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Signal to noise constraints on maximum length sequence auditory brain stem responses
1Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Ear and Hearing
|December 1, 1992
Summary
Maximum length sequence Auditory Brainstem Response (MLS ABR) may not reduce test time due to increased noise. Conventional ABR testing remains more efficient, even with higher stimulus rates in MLS ABR.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Conventional Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing requires low stimulus rates to prevent response overlap.
- Maximum Length Sequences (MLS) offer a method for high-rate auditory stimulation in ABR.
- Concerns exist regarding the signal-to-noise ratio of MLS ABR compared to conventional methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficiency and noise characteristics of MLS ABR compared to conventional ABR.
- To determine if MLS ABR can significantly reduce overall testing time.
Main Methods:
- Ten ears were tested using both conventional ABR and MLS ABR protocols.
- MLS ABRs were administered at stimulus rates 2, 4, and 8 times higher than conventional ABR.
- Noise levels were assessed, and Wave V amplitude was measured at a 40 dB nHL stimulus intensity.
Main Results:
- Noise levels in MLS ABR control runs aligned with predictions.
- Wave V amplitude in MLS ABRs decreased significantly at higher stimulus rates.
- No MLS ABR condition demonstrated superior efficiency over conventional ABR at the tested intensity.
Conclusions:
- The intrinsic noisier nature of MLS ABR may negate potential time savings.
- Conventional ABR remains a more efficient method for auditory response assessment.
- Future assessments of MLS ABR must account for its inherent higher noise levels.