Electrophysiological Studies of the Auditory System

Abstract

Electrophysiological measures of cochlear function can be obtained using the techniques of transtympanic electrode and surface electrode electrocochleography. These provide measures of the basic parameters of the cochlear microphonic, cochlear nerve and auditory brainstem nuclei action potentials, which enable the functional mechanisms of the cochlea and auditory pathway to be defined for normally hearing subjects and, by comparison, give diagnostic information about the pathologies involved in auditory disorders

Data are presented on the values and variability of the responses obtained from normally hearing subjects. The comparative values of each technique in estimating auditory threshold, cochlear function and in evaluating neurological conditions are discussed using data from clinical patients

Key Words:

• Electrocochleography
• Sensorineural hearing loss
• Evoked response audiometry (ERA)
• Evoked myogenic responses
• Amplitude latency functions