Registration of assr-thresholds in free field stimulation in normal hearing persons. Our experience

Abstract

Background: Currently, for an objective assessment of the thresholds of auditory sensitivity, one of the most popular diagnostic methods is the method of recording of auditory steady state response - the ASSR test. One of the primary uses of ASSR is to assess sound thresholds correlated with tonal threshold audiometry. Actually, there are no reliable criteria for the norm for this study with free field stimulation, in conditions close to the natural listening environment. The identification of these criteria will allow this method to be applied as a routine in patients who cannot be tested in the usual way using headsets or in-ear phones (headphones). Objective: To determine the correlation of the ASSR thresholds with free field stimulation and the responses of insert-transducers stimulation and values of tonal threshold audiometry in the free field in normally hearing individuals. Design: Behavioral thresholds in a free field were compared with the results of ASSR in 20 normally hearing adults (40 ears) with stimulus delivery both via insert-transducers and using a loudspeaker. Conclusion: The ASSR thresholds in normal hearing adults obtained by free field were comparable to the thresholds obtained with a stimulus through insert- transducers and the results of behavioral thresholds. The correction coefficients for measuring ASSR thresholds and behavioral thresholds in free field in normal hearing adults have been obtained.