Electrical Dipole Magnitudes of Auditory Brainstem Responses

Abstract

Electorical dipole moments of auditory brainstem responses (ABR) were investigated by dipole localization methods in humans. For wave I and wave V, dipole magnitude variability between subjects at a specific age was considered too large to accept as a useful measure. A spherical head shape and homogeneous conductivity were assumed in the present study. Variability of the estimated dipole magnitudes might be caused by the shape of the head, inhomogeneous conductivity, and errors of the assumed dipole location and the electrodes location. Wave I dipole magnitude reduced greatly with a decrease of stimulus intensity from 90 to 60dBnHL, and decreased gradually with a further decrease of intensity. Wave V dipole magnitude showed a smaller change with stimulus intensity than wave I dipole magnitude.