Interaction of Click Polarity, Stimulus Level, and Repetition Rate on the Auditory Brainstem Response

Abstract

The present study investigated the interaction of click polarity (compression, rarefaction, alternating), repetition rate (2.3 and 9.2 clicks per second), and stimulus level (60, 75, and 90 dB nHL) on auditory brainstem responses. Two tracings (trials) were obtained for each condition using 45 normally hearing subjects. Although no systematic Wave I, III, or V latency or amplitude differences were observed among polarities or repetition rates at the three intensities, statistically significant differences were observed for the following conditions: (1) Wave III latency at 90 dB nHL was longer for the 9.2 repetition rate than for the 2.3 rate, and latencies for compression clicks were shorter than rarefaction clicks; (2) Wave V latencies at 75 dB nHL were longer with compression clicks than with rarefaction clicks; (3) mean Wave V latencies at 60 and 75 dB nHL were slightly longer for the 2.3 click rate than for the 9.2 rate; and (4) Wave V amplitudes at 90 dB nHL were larger for rarefaction clicks than for compression clicks. Because latency and amplitude differences were small and only found in a few conditions, the results indicate that polarity is not a significant variable in normally hearing subjects when using slow repetition rates (less than or equal to 10 clicks per second) at moderate to high intensities (60 to 90 dB nHL). Because repetition rates of less than 10 clicks per second increases examination time but does not improve wave morphology, rates of 10 per second or faster are recommended for gathering normative data. Absolute amplitudes showed considerable intersubject variability, especially for Waves I and III. Intrasubject variability (test-retest) also was substantial. These findings suggest that absolute amplitudes may be of little use for distinguishing normal from pathologic populations.

The Effects of Electrode Montage on the Amplitude of Wave V in the Auditory Brainstem Response to Maximum Length Sequence Stimuli

“…This suggests that the strategy of using a vertical electrode montage to increase wave V amplitude without affecting wave V latency in conventional ABR waveforms (for a summary, see Hall [1992]) can also be used in deconvolved MLS ABR waveforms obtained at a maximum stimulus rate of 250 cps. We were unable to determine the causes of the observed increases in wave V amplitude, and can only reiterate the previously cited hypotheses of the more electrically silent nature of the noncephalic electrode location and the impedance differences between cephalic and noncephalic regions [Beattie, 1988]. …”

“…This montage has been successfully used in conventional ABR recording to increase the wave V amplitude by up to 50% compared to an ipsilateral electrode montage, without significantly affecting wave V latency (for a review, see Hall [1992]). While the cause of the increase in wave V amplitude has not been determined, some hypotheses include the more electrically silent nature of the noncephalic region, and impedance differences between cephalic and noncephalic regions [Beattie, 1988].…”

Os efeitos da polaridade do estímulo nos Potenciais Evocados Auditivos de Tronco Encefálico

“…4,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21] Thus, in analyzing the results it is essential to bear in mind that normal absolute and interpeak latencies may vary according to the stimulus polarity. There is, however, no consensus on this in the literature; one study may show that rarefaction is more sensitive and thus superior in clinical practice, while another study states otherwise.…”

A new method for analyzing auditory brain-stem response waveforms using a moving-minimum subtraction procedure of digitized analog recordings

“…Various audiological and neurological abnormalities can be detected by examining the waveform, ie, the latencies and amplitudes of individual waves 3,5. The amplitudes of the ABR waves are sometimes difficult to measure, due to complex waveforms and high inter- and intraindividual variability, and have therefore been found to be of limited clinical value 6. Latencies and latency ratios are of broader clinical use 3,6.…”

“…The amplitudes of the ABR waves are sometimes difficult to measure, due to complex waveforms and high inter- and intraindividual variability, and have therefore been found to be of limited clinical value 6. Latencies and latency ratios are of broader clinical use 3,6. The aims of the present study were to explore means to improve interpretation of ABR recordings by aligning the troughs between waves to a common baseline set to zero, ie, baseline alignment, and to apply the method to groups of patients with schizophrenia and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) versus healthy controls.…”