Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

A Low Cost Setup for Behavioral Audiometry in Rodents
Published on: October 16, 2012
[Comparison of pure tone audiometry and auditory steady-state responses thresholds in adults]
E S Garbaruk1, S M Vikhnina1, L E Golovanova2,3,4
1Laboratory of Hearing and Speech of the Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Abstract:
Pure tone audiometry (PTA) is the crucial method for hearing function assessment in adults. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) and auditory steady-state response (ASSR) are mainly registered in adults only if objective hearing evaluation is required, in particular in cases of expertise.
Objective:
To compare thresholds obtained by PTA and ASSR at speech frequencies; to analyze causes of possible thresholds discrepancies.
Material And Methods:
Totally 244 patients aged from 18 to 104 were examined in two clinics. After basic ENT check-up air and bone conduction PTA at standard frequencies was run, next - ABR and ASSR registration.
Results:
Correlation coefficient between ASSR and PTA thresholds was 0.7-0.71 at frequencies 500-1000 Hz and 0.54-0.58 at frequencies 2000-4000 Hz. No significant difference was revealed between thresholds obtained for right and left ears and between results obtained in two clinics. The least discrepancy between PTA and ASSR thresholds (0.8-11.8 dB) was obtained at 1000 Hz, the maximum one (13.7-15.1 dB) was got at 4000 Hz. The significant strong correlation (r=0.7) between PTA and ASSR thresholds discrepancy degree at frequencies 2000 to 4000 Hz and slope audiogram type was revealed. The weak correlation between PTA and ASSR thresholds discrepancy extent and hearing loss degree and patient's age was got.
Conclusion:
ASSR registration reliability in adults was shown and the method could be applied in case if either PTA is not accessible or PTA results are invalid. PTA and ASSR thresholds discrepancies were revealed in patients with slope audiometry types, high frequency ASSR thresholds might be better than PTA ones.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Hearing
Sound Intensity Level
The human ear can perceive an extensive range of sound intensity, necessitating the use of the logarithmic scale to define a physical quantity—the intensity level. It is a ratio of two intensities and hence a...
Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation
Breath Sounds
Breath sounds are categorized into vesicular, bronchovesicular, and bronchial.
Auditory Perception
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System IV: Auscultation
Normal Heart Sounds
S1 (First Heart Sound)-
S1 is made by the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves (atrioventricular valves), marking the beginning of systole.
S2 (Second Heart Sound)-
S2 is made by the closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves (semilunar valves), marking the end of the systole.

