Rapid threshold estimation using the "chained-stimuli" technique for auditory brain stem response measurement

The "chained-stimuli" technique for rapid auditory brain stem response (ABR) threshold estimation involves lengthening the averaging time window and presenting a series ("chain") of click stimuli. Each stimulus chain contains, in addition to a silent interval, click stimuli of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 dB nHL that are separated by 10 msec intervals. Using this method, the single averaged response to the chained-stimulus contains up to seven individual ABRs. The responses elicited by each level of click stimulus within the chain can be analyzed separately. In this study, chained-stimuli ABR threshold estimations for normal hearers were essentially equivalent to those obtained using an automated conventional ABR method. The data for a seven point latency-intensity function using the chained-stimuli technique were obtained in a mean time of only 8 min per ear.