The Acoustically Evoked Potential with Inverse Tone Burst Stimulation Compared to a Model Experiment

Abstract

‘Inverse tone burst stimulation’ refers to a brief interruption of a continuing tone. Stimulation by such an interruption affects the form and amplitude of the evoked potential. In tone interruption two distinct potentials, an off-potential by the break, and an on-potential by restoring the tone, can be discerned. The amplitudes of these two potentials show approximately equal values with tone breaks ≤400 ms. The phenomena of superposition with the shorter tone breaks determine the overall acoustically evoked potential (AEP) curve shape as a function of the duration of the break.

Model experiments were carried out in which an averaged potential was being time-shifted by different amounts and added to the same potential which, however, was not being time-shifted. These model experiments simulated the phenomena of superposition and brought forth a lucid explanation.

Key Words:

• Acoustically evoked potential
• Inverse tone burst stimulation
• Interaction of AEP
• Model experiment
• Off-potential
• On-potential