The Detection of Auditory Evoked Responses Using a Matched Filter

A method has been developed to detect auditory brainstem evoked responses (ABR's) using a minimum amount of computer averaging. The method employs a matched filter to detect the ABR buried in the EEG. The matched filter system can also be used to predict wave V latency, which is useful in testing for hearing loss. By using a matched filter derived from an ABR obtained at a high-stimulus level, it is possible to calculate wave V latency at lower intensity levels much faster. Excellent correlation is seen between wave V latencies calculated in this manner, and those obtained after significant amounts of averaging. Because of this, the matched filter system can reduce the amount of time required for a hearing loss test from 20-30 min to approximately 5-10 min with no significant degradation in results.