Steady-state evoked potential responses were recorded from 337 normal full-term sleeping newborns to combined amplitude and frequency modulated tones. Responses were automatically detected by statistical analysis of the response phase. Responses were most easily and consistently recorded at carrier frequencies of 500 Hz, 1500 Hz and 4000 Hz when the modulation frequency was between 60 Hz and 100 Hz. In this modulation frequency range, the response latencies were found to be between 11 ms and 15 ms, depending on carrier frequency, and the mean response thresholds for the three carrier frequencies were found to be 41.36 dB HL, 24.41 dB HL and 34.51 dB HL respectively. The results of this study suggest that steady-state evoked potentials at modulation rates in excess of 60 Hz may be useful for frequency specific, automated hearing screening in newborns.

Two studies illustrate the use of the auditory steady-state response (ASSR) in the pediatric clinical audiology setting. A protocol for estimating bone-conduction thresholds from ASSR was developed. Bone-conducted narrow-band noise was used to mask the ASSR for a 1.0-kHz modulated tone. The amount of bone-conducted noise needed to mask the ASSR may distinguish between infants and children with conductive hearing losses and those with sensory losses. The amount of bone-conducted noise may also be used to estimate bone-conduction thresholds; however, the accuracy of this technique needs verification with behavioral methods to determine thresholds for bone-conducted pure tones in infants. When ASSR tests are used as part of the diagnostic evaluation for infants and children at risk for hearing loss, the results yield information about the audiometric contour and residual hearing, which aid in treatment and habilitation decisions.