title: Auditory steady-state responses in normal hearing adults: a test-retest reliability study.
abstract: The test-retest reliability of the auditory steady-state response (ASSR) has received limited attention. Therefore, the aim was to assess the test-retest reliability of an 80-Hz multiple-ASSR system in normal-hearing subjects by a comprehensive set of statistical methods. Twenty-nine participants (15 females) aged between 18 and 30 years contributed to two sessions (test-retest), and the ASSR thresholds were determined with a descending search protocol using a 10-dB precision. The test-retest reliability was assessed by a three-layered approach which consisted of Pearson product-moment correlation, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and standard error of measurement (SEM). The correlations for ASSR thresholds ranged from poor (0.34) for 500 Hz CF to moderate (0.55) for 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz CF. A two-way ANOVA of the difference scores (ASSR threshold minus behavioral threshold) demonstrated no significant difference between test and retest. The SEM determined the normal tolerance for clinical error of repeated thresholds and the ASSR SEM values fell well within +/-10 dB HL. This investigation shows that the multiple ASSR-technique produces a clinically acceptable test-retest reliability for normal-hearing adults.
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Wendy.Dhaenens@ugent.be
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: D'Haenens
authors.forename: Bart M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Vinck
authors.forename: Eddy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Vel
authors.forename: Leen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.forename: Annelies
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bockstael
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Keppler
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Philips
authors.forename: Freya
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Swinnen
authors.forename: Ingeborg
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dhooge
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001300:Audiometry, Evoked Response / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results