title: Digital filtering and spectral analysis of the low intensity ABR.
abstract: Spectral analysis along with zero and standard-phase shift digital filtering were performed on evoked potentials recorded from 12 normal hearing subjects. The results indicated a progressive shifting of the mean spectral content of the ABR toward the low frequencies as the stimulus intensity was lowered. Despite this, the effects of zero-phase shift high-pass digital filtering at 100 Hz (36 dB/oct) did not significantly differ between waveforms elicited by a 75 dB nHL, 55 dB nHL, and 35 dB nHL stimulus. The major response frequency of the ABR is related to the distance between the peak (IV/V) and the following major trough (approximates one-half the response period). In waveforms where the major trough occurred before 10 msec, the use of 100 Hz, 36 dB/oct, zero-phase shift high-pass filters produced only a small reduction in response amplitude, even at low stimulus intensity levels. Waveforms which had a major trough (Na1) between 10 to 15 msec were reduced in amplitude by 100 Hz, 36 dB/oct, zero-phase shift high-pass filters (the longer period of the response energy in these waveforms corresponds to a lower energy frequency). However, this trough has a latency that prevents it from being recorded on a 10 msec time base or defined as an ABR. Based on these results, the use of zero-phase shift high-pass filters with a high-pass cutoff frequency that is equal to or less than the resolution of the time base (1/time base) appears to be a desirable method of reducing muscle artifact and other electrical contamination of the ABR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Tennessee, Memphis.
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Kavanagh
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Domico
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Franks
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001300:Audiometry, Evoked Response / Q000379:methods*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory; D005374:Filtration; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged