Low-frequency auditory brainstem response threshold

Auditory brainstem thresholds have been determined in 35 non-cooperative, anaesthetized children using a 'two-point audiogram' paradigm. The high-frequency point was found with a 2 kHz tone-burst without masking, and the low-frequency with a 0.5 kHz tone-burst together with 1 kHz high-pass noise masking. Great variability was found in the low-frequency thresholds, and only 3 of 18 ears with normal high-frequency thresholds had low-frequency thresholds below 70 dB nHL. It is concluded that the 0.5 kHz tone-burst with 1 kHz high-pass noise masking is not a reliable method for routine assessment of low-frequency auditory threshold at the brainstem level.