Brainstem responses to tone pip and click stimuli.

Brainstem auditory-evoked responses to tone pips at 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz and clicks were evaluated for 17 normal-hearing adults. Wave V consistently emerged as the best indicator of auditory sensitivity, whereas waves II, III, and IV generally were not identifiable at lower intensities. An inverse relationship existed between wave V latency and intensity and between wave V latency and stimulus frequency. Large ranges were noted for the levels at which the various components became identifiable. Even though some frequency specificity may have occurred, the range of wave V latencies for 1000- and 4000-Hz tone pips demonstrated considerable overlap.