Prediction of hearing thresholds: comparison of cortical evoked response audiometry and auditory steady state response audiometry techniques.

The present study evaluated how well auditory steady state response (ASSR) and tone burst cortical evoked response audiometry (CERA) thresholds predict behavioral thresholds in the same participants. A total of 63 ears were evaluated. For ASSR testing, 100% amplitude modulated and 10% frequency modulated tone stimuli at a modulation frequency of 40Hz were used. Behavioral thresholds were closer to CERA thresholds than ASSR thresholds. ASSR and CERA thresholds were closer to behavioral thresholds at higher frequencies than at lower frequencies. Although predictions based on CERA thresholds are slightly more accurate than ASSR thresholds, the differences may not be clinically significant, particularly when the degree of individual variations is considered. Prediction of hearing thresholds became more accurate when hearing loss increased. Due to variations in prediction across participants, a single correction factor cannot be used. Other factors must be considered in selecting whether to use CERA or ASSR in predicting behavioral thresholds.