Semi-Automated Analysis of Peak Amplitude and Latency for Auditory Brainstem Response Waveforms Using R

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Audiology
• Computational Biology

Background:

• Auditory brainstem response (ABR) waveform analysis is crucial for assessing hearing function after auditory insults.
• Traditional manual analysis of ABR waveforms is time-consuming and labor-intensive, hindering widespread adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present free R routines for semi-automating the measurement of ABR waveform peaks and troughs.
• To reduce the time and effort required for ABR data analysis, encouraging broader use of these techniques.

Main Methods:

• The study describes routines executable in the R programming environment with RStudio.
• These routines automatically identify and measure peak/trough amplitudes and latencies.
• Tools for visual inspection, data collation, statistical analysis, and figure generation are included, along with a correction tool for misidentifications.

Main Results:

• The developed routines semi-automate the measurement of ABR waveform parameters.
• The process includes visual inspection, data organization, and averaged waveform generation.
• A correction tool is available for instances of automated misidentification.

Conclusions:

• Free R routines offer a semi-automated solution for ABR waveform analysis.
• This approach significantly reduces analysis time and effort.
• Increased accessibility of ABR analysis is expected to promote its wider application in research.