[Steady state multi-frequency auditory evoked potentials as a technique to determine hearing threshold].
OBJECTIVE
Since the set up of Steady-State Auditory Evoked Potentials as a routine technique, it has became necessary the establishment of clinic capabilities and limitations. In this study, we have compared SSEP to behavioural thresholds, considering the last one as "gold standard" technique.


METHODS
We have recorded SSEP to multiple frequencies and behavioural thresholds in 84 ears. The obtained data were statistically processed to obtain correlations and others indicators.


RESULTS
SSEP thresholds are slightly higher than behavioural, whose average difference was calculated as 23 dB. It is worth to note that this difference diminishes at high frequencies and hearing loss cases.


CONCLUSIONS
SSEP to multiple frequencies technique is capable to determine auditory thresholds accurately, being closer to the behavioural value at high frequencies and high threshold values. It is necessary the establishment of exploration protocols to assure the highest accuracy of the system. In this work, a diagnostic algorithm has been proposed to reach better results by using SSEP.
Martínez-Beneito
P
P
Servicio de ORL, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia. pazmabe@terra.es
Morant Ventura
A
A
Pitarch Ribas
M I
MI
García Callejo
F J
FJ
Marco Algarra
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged