1988 Volume 26 Issue 2 Pages 1-8
The effects of stimulus intensity on the auditory brainstem response (ABR) peak latencies and interpeak latencies (IPL) were examined at several intensities of click stimuli above the normal hearing threshold (nHL) in 34 normal hearing adults (54 ears) and above the sensation threshold (SL) in those persons (15 ears). The results were as follows: 1. Changes in peak latencies and interpeak latencies (IPL) as a function of intensity were observed at normal hearing threshold (nHL) intensity standards. 2. With increases in intensity above sensation threshold (SL), wave I decreased in latency faster than wave V. This difference resulted in changes in the I-V interpeak latency (IPL) as a function of intensity. 3. A "transition zone" of wave I was not observed. These results suggest that the exclusive use of normal hearing threshold (nHL) intensity standards might result in false-negative auditory brainstem response (ABR) diagnosis in persons with severe and profound mental retardation whose acoustical hearing threshold had not been determined. In such cases, the use of an intensity level based on the auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold, rather than on normal hearing threshold intensity standards, would be more adequate.
