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Auditory brainstem responses to chirps delivered by an insert earphone with equalized frequency response
Claus Elberling1, Manuel Don, Sinnet G B Kristensen
1William Demant Holding A/S, Kongebakken 9, DK-2765 Smoørum, Denmark. ce@demant.dk
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|August 17, 2012
Summary
A modified chirp signal significantly enhances auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) when used with the ER-3A insert earphone, outperforming the standard chirp below 60 dB nHL for better audiological testing.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) are crucial for assessing auditory function.
- Previous studies showed larger ABRs with ER-2 earphones compared to ER-3A earphones due to amplitude-frequency response differences.
- Chirp stimuli aim to optimize ABR amplitude by compensating for hearing loss or earphone characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of a modified chirp designed to equalize the ER-3A earphone's amplitude-frequency response.
- To compare ABRs elicited by the modified chirp versus the unmodified chirp using the ER-3A earphone.
Main Methods:
- A modified chirp stimulus was created to match the ER-3A earphone's amplitude-frequency response.
- Auditory brainstem responses were recorded from 20 normal-hearing individuals.
- Stimuli were delivered via ER-3A earphones across a range of intensity levels (dB nHL).
Main Results:
- The modified chirp elicited significantly larger ABR amplitudes compared to the unmodified chirp.
- This enhancement was particularly notable at intensity levels below 60 dB nHL.
- The results validate the chirp modification for improving ABR measurement with the ER-3A earphone.
Conclusions:
- A modified chirp stimulus effectively compensates for the ER-3A earphone's amplitude-frequency response.
- This optimized chirp can improve the sensitivity and amplitude of ABRs, especially at lower presentation levels.
- The findings suggest a practical method for enhancing diagnostic audiological assessments using ABRs.
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