Auditory Steady-State Response Flashcards
Describe the background of the ASSR.
- Became clinically available in 2001
- However, used in research since the late 1970s
- Early studies used lower modulation rates (35-55 Hz)
- 40 Hz modulation rate seemed promising
Why did the 40 Hz modulation rate seem promising? Why wasn’t it?
- Good estimation of behavioral thresholds in NH and HI adults at low and high frequencies
- BUT highly affected by sleep and sedation so unstable in infants and young children
What are similarities between the ASSR and ABR?
- Utilize surface electrodes
- Evoked potential
- Not affected by patient state
- Need a quiet test environment
- Requires neural synchrony
What are differences between the ASSR and ABR?
- Provides objective response detection
- Allows for simultaneous testing of right and left ears
- Can test up to 4 frequencies at once
- Can assess profound hearing loss
- Presents modulated pure tones
How does the ASSR provide objective response detection?
- Frequency-specific information for 250-8000 Hz
- The objective detection algorithm determines the presence of a response for the clinician, eliminating the need for subjective judgment of waveforms
- Automated algorithms assess amplitude and phase coherence of response
How does the ASSR assess profound hearing loss?
- Use of non-transient signals (transient signals used in ABR)
- Tones can also be presented at higher levels with ASSR
What are advantages of the ASSR?
1) Good predictor of thresholds? (better for severe/profound HL but not so much for NH)
2) Objective
3) No spectral splatter (as with transient tone bursts)
4) Many frequencies can be recorded at once
Why is neuronal adaptation a concern with steady-state stimuli?
- Steady signals will be ignored by the nervous system and firing will stop
- Have to manipulate the stimulus to make the sound more interestion
What is the solution to neuronal adaptation?
-Modulate the steady-state tone (AM, FM, Mixed modulation)
Describe amplitude modulation.
- Changes the intensity of the carrier frequency over time
- Inferior colliculus is most sensitive to 100% modulation
- Modulation depth = amplitude
Describe frequency modulation.
- Changes the frequency of the carrier frequency over time
- Modulation rate = frequency
Describe mixed modulation.
- AM + FM
- Gives the most robust response
What is a carrier frequency (Fc)?
- Higher tone, the frequency being tested
- Area that is being activated on the tonotopically arranged basilar membrane
What is a modulation frequency (Fm)?
- Lower tone, where the response is found
- Rate at which the tonotopically stimulated area will be activated
Describe the basic procedure of the ASSR.
- Stimulus is presented
- Cochlea responds at Fc
- Response recorded at Fm