Computer methods for on-line hearing testing with auditory brain stem responses.
On-line computer methods were developed and evaluated for automated hearing testing with auditory brain stem responses (ABR). The system contained (1) a response recognition unit which recognized the presence or absence of an ABR response and (2) a threshold tracking unit which adjusted stimulus intensity and determined the ABR threshold. Two methods, one nontemplate (variance ratio) and one template (cross-correlation), were evaluated for response recognition while three threshold tracking methods were explored: clinical, Békésy, and PEST (parameter estimation by sequential testing). Both response recognition and threshold tracking units were evaluated by computer simulations for on-line operation using a standard set of experimentally recorded ABRs. The results indicated that while all the response recognition methods were reasonably accurate, their on-line use resulted in significant differences in test efficiency due to differences in tracking methods.
Ozdamar
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O
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida.
Delgado
R E
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Eilers
R E
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Widen
J E
JE
D000162:Acoustics; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001300:Audiometry, Evoked Response / Q000379:methods*; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008838:Microcomputers; D008875:Middle Aged; D009862:Online Systems