Validation of addition and subtraction of ABR waveforms

Procedures that use the auditory brainstem response (ABR) to demonstrate binaural interaction, phasic differences, narrow-band derived responses, and adaptation rely on additions and subtractions of waveforms to demonstrate effects that are not evident in the raw waveforms. The purpose of this study was to validate these data manipulations by performing additions and subtractions of waveforms in cases in which the theoretical result should be no difference potential and in cases in which the theoretical result should be a difference potential. The results indicate that additions and subtractions of ABR waveforms are valid data manipulations.