Stimulus Sequencing and the Late Components of the Auditory Evoked Potential

Abstract

Amplitude of the late components of the averaged auditory evoked potential increases as the time between repeated stimuli is increased up to 12 sec. The interspersal of tone bursts of different frequencies within the interstimulus time interval was investigated as a method for improving data acquisition rate without sacrificing response amplitude. Series of 500-, 1000-, and 2000-Hz tone bursts were presented singly and in combinations of two and three frequencies at repetition periods of 1 to 8 sec. Response records were sorted and averaged according-to stimulus frequency, yielding one, two, or three averaged evoked potential records. Experimental results indicate that data acquisition rate can be improved by serial presentation of different stimuli without significant loss of response amplitude. [This project was made possible through funds granted by the University of Southern Mississippi Faculty Research Council.]