Fast Audiogram Determination Using Auditory SSEPs

本研究的目的是开发一种能够利用听觉稳态诱发电位(ASSEP)客观地确定新生儿听力图构型的系统。该系统将解决以快速和有效的方式获得六个月以下婴儿特定频率听力阈值信息的需要，以便安装助听器。目前的ABR技术不适合这一目的，主要是因为缺乏阈值特异性和较长的测试时间要求。新系统将能够利用新开发的ASSEP测试技术以非常有效的方式获得特定频率的信息。在拟议的实验中，这些技术将与各种阈值搜索和听力图模式检测算法相结合，以最大限度地减少测试时间。该系统将在一个完全便携的集成平台上实施，能够执行ABR、OAE和其他听力测量功能。将ASSEP添加到该平台将为临床医生提供急需且非常强大的筛查和诊断工具。研究的第一阶段将侧重于参数优化和初步试验。该系统的性能将与将在第二阶段进行的大规模临床研究获得的行为反应进行比较。拟议的商业应用：拟议的设备将立即投入商业使用，并将使临床医生能够确定六个月以下婴儿的听力图。

The objective of this study is to develop a system capable of objectively determining audiogram configurations in newborn infants using auditory steady-state evoked potentials (ASSEP). The system will address the need to obtain frequency-specific hearing threshold information infants less than six months of age in a fast and efficient manner in order to fit hearing aids. Current ABR technology is inadequate for this purpose primarily due to the lack of threshold specificity and long testing time requirements. The new system will be able to obtain frequency specific information in a very efficient manner utilizing newly developed techniques for ASSEP testing. In the proposed experiments, these techniques will be combined with various threshold-searching and audiogram pattern detection algorithms in order to minimize testing time. The system will be implemented in a completely portable integrated platform capable of performing ABR, OAE and other audiometric functions. The addition of ASSEPs to this platform will provide clinicians with a much needed and very powerful screening and diagnostic tool. Phase I of the study will focus on parameter optimization and initial trials. The performance of the system will be compared to behavioral responses obtained from a large-scale clinical study to be performed during Phase II. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: The proposed device will have an immediate commercial appear and will enable clinicians to determine audiograms in infants less than six months of age.