Effect of subject state on auditory brainstem response threshold using Kalman-weighted averaging.

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing is crucial for hearing assessment, especially in infants and children.
• Conventional ABR systems face challenges in obtaining stable results under non-sedated conditions.
• A novel ABR system with Kalman-weighted averaging and Bluetooth electrical isolation aims to improve ABR stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of subject testing state on ABR thresholds.
• To evaluate a novel ABR system's performance in non-sedated individuals.
• To determine if different behavioral states affect ABR threshold measurements.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-four adults with normal hearing were tested in three states: lying, sitting (watching videos), and writing.
• Click ABR (cABR) and tone-burst ABR (tbABR) thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz were recorded.
• Testing time to reach monaural thresholds was also measured for each state and stimulus type.

Main Results:

• ABR thresholds increased in the order: lying < sitting < writing, with significant differences between most states.
• Testing time for cABR was longest in the writing state.
• Testing time for 1 and 4 kHz tbABR was shortest in the lying state.

Conclusions:

• Subject state significantly impacts ABR thresholds obtained with Kalman-weighted averaging.
• Consideration of the subject's state during ABR testing is essential for accurate hearing threshold estimation.
• Normal levels and correction values for ABR thresholds should be established for different testing states.