Design and implementation of frequency-following response recording system

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Auditory Neuroscience
• Bioacoustics

Background:

• The frequency-following response (FFR) is a brainstem response crucial for pitch perception.
• FFR signals are often weak, hindering accurate measurement and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
• Current FFR recording methods using multichannel EEG are costly and require manual data screening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel method for extracting FFR features.
• To enhance the accuracy and SNR of FFR measurements.
• To establish FFR as a reliable indicator of individual pitch perception abilities.

Main Methods:

• A new FFR extraction method utilizing automatic ear canal sound pressure monitoring for data prescreening.
• Systematic investigation of stimulus artifact removal, noise reduction, and data selection techniques.
• Validation through comparison of FFR tracking accuracy and pitch perception in 15 normal-hearing individuals.

Main Results:

• The developed method successfully extracts FFR signals with improved accuracy and high SNR.
• Extracted FFR tracking accuracy showed a significant correlation with behavioral measures of pitch perception.
• FFR can effectively represent individual differences in pitch perception within a homogeneous hearing group.

Conclusions:

• The designed system enables more accurate FFR signal extraction with high SNR.
• Automatic prescreening and noise reduction are key to improving FFR measurement quality.
• This method supports the use of FFR for assessing individual pitch perception abilities.