Effect of digital filtering of ABR on scorer variability

The utility of digital filtering for the purpose of improving waveform morphology and improving peak detection was investigated. Unfiltered (i.e., only standard analog filtering) and digitally filtered (i.e., analog plus post hoc digital filtering) ABRs from both young and elderly subjects were independently scored by eight experienced clinicians. Measures of intrascorer and interscorer variability were obtained for the absolute latencies of waves I, III, and V. Results suggest that digital filtering tends to increase the reliability of latency measurements when ABRs are characterized by poor morphology.