Electrophysiological exploration of hearing

Abstract

Electrophysiologic hearing tests have been developed since the 1960s to determine hearing thresholds objectively. They are now implemented in newborn hearing screening. While they determine thresholds, interpretation requires subjective pure-tone and speech audiometry to determine the type of hearing loss. Each examination tests a different anatomic region, enabling the auditory system to be explored from the organ of Corti to the auditory cortex. Thus, the various objective audiometric examinations are complementary.

Keywords: Auditory brainstem response; Auditory steady-state response; Electrocochleography; Electrophysiology; Hearing; Otoacoustic emissions.