Optimization of ABR and eABR methods

Excerpt from the Abstract:

The Electrically-evoked Auditory Brainstem Response (eABR) and Acoustic Brainstem Response (ABR) are two related techniques clinically used for objective evaluation on both cochlear implant (CI) patients and patients with suspected hearing loss respectively. The Sentiero device, from Path Medical GmbH, is capable of receiving and processing ABR responses, and is tested for potential to obtain eABR as well. Methods of ABR analysis, such as Wavelet Analysis, Single Point Scattering (SPS), and muscle artifact rejection were examined, as well as methods of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) estimation. Eight ABR subjects of normal hearing capability and one CI patient were measured using ABR and eABR respectively. The data was uploaded to Matlab and then filtered, averaged, windowed, and subjected to a suite of analysis techniques. Wavelet analysis failed to provide additional information about ABR although results correlated strongly with accepted techniques. SPS was able to successfully determine statistical significance for specific waveforms in both ABR and eABR cases. Muscle artifact rejection was deemed unnecessary, although of potential use for toddler and infant ABR testing. SNR estimation was found to approximately follow a square root trend at relatively high levels of signal power. As a proof of concept, eABR measurements were successfully obtained from the CI patient. Furthermore, an electrode connection was developed to allow simultaneous, parallel measurement between two EEG recording devices and successfully used to obtain eABR as well, demonstrating parallel capability for improved comparison between differing EEG devices.

Final Colloquium Presentation Slides

Thesis Document available upon request.