Multiple-stimulus method for rapid collection of auditory brainstem responses using high-frequency (> or = 8 kHz)...

Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) to high-frequency (> or = 8 kHz) tone-burst stimuli have shown potential for objective early detection of ototoxicity. In the case of ill, unresponsive, or otherwise difficult-to-test individuals, the patient group for whom this test is targeted, a threshold-seeking process can be too lengthy. A new method is described for obtaining responses to several high-frequency tone bursts in the same amount of time as that used in obtaining a single responses. Using 10 normal-hearing subjects, four high-frequency tone-burst stimuli (14, 12, 10, and 8 kHz) were presented singly, then in a multiple-stimulus sequence with onsets separated by 10 msec. Wave V response latencies from the multiple-stimulus sequences are compared to those presented singly, with small but statistically significant longer latencies observed for all stimuli following the initial stimulus (14 kHz) in the multiple sequence. Test-retest reliability was comparable between multiple and single conditions. These findings support the development of this technique for clinical auditory monitoring.