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Published on: May 10, 2019
Analysis of click-evoked auditory brainstem responses using time domain cross-correlations between interleaved
Erik Berninger1, Ake Olofsson, Arne Leijon
11Department of Audiology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; 2Technical and Experimental Audiology, Department of CLINTEC, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; and 3School of Electrical Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
Cross-correlation analysis of auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) in adults provides a rapid and objective method for hearing assessment. This technique allows for quick identification of ABRs, supporting the development of new diagnostic tools for hearing loss.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Newborn hearing screening necessitates rapid, valid, and objective diagnostic methods.
- Adult evaluation of auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) is crucial before infant application.
- Cross-correlation analysis offers a potential objective method for ABR assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cross-correlation analysis of interleaved ABRs in normal-hearing adults across a wide dynamic range.
- To compare ABR results with psychoacoustical click threshold (PCT) and pure-tone threshold.
- To determine the ABR input/output function using off-line analysis.
Main Methods:
- ABRs were recorded in 14 healthy adults using click stimuli from 71.5 dB nHL down to -18.5 dB nHL.
- Cross-correlation analysis was performed on nonfiltered and band-pass filtered interleaved ABRs.
- Time elapsed to reach a cross-correlation coefficient of 0.70 was analyzed and compared to PCT.
Main Results:
- Mean cross-correlation coefficients exceeded 0.90 at stimulus levels ≥11.5 dB nHL.
- At 1.5 dB nHL, ABR was identifiable with a cross-correlation coefficient of 0.53 (left) and 0.44 (right), near 0 dB SNR.
- The average stimulus level for a cross-correlation coefficient of 0.70 was 6.5 dB nHL, aligning with the estimated psychoacoustical threshold.
Conclusions:
- Cross-correlation analysis enables rapid identification of ABRs using interleaved responses.
- This method shows promise for automatic response identification and threshold-seeking procedures in audiology.
- The findings support the use of ABR cross-correlation analysis as a basis for objective hearing diagnostics.
