Correlation between multi-frequency steady-state evoked potential and pure-tone audiometry in 72 patients with conductive hearing loss

Objective To explore the correlation between multi-frequency steady-state evoked potential, namely auditory steady state responses(ASSR) and pure-tone audiometry in diagnosis of conductive hearing loss. Methods Seventy-two ears of 72 patients with conductive hearing loss were tested by ASSR and pure-tone andiometry respectively, then the correlation between ASSR and pure-tone audiometry was analyzed. Results For the diagnosis of conductive heating loss, under the sound stimulations of different carrier frequency, the analysis of correlation between the thresholds of ASSR and pure-tone audiometry showed 0. 5 kHz(r=0. 634, P>0. 05), 1 kHz(r =0.792, P<0.05), 2 kHz(r =0. 814, P<0. 05), 4 kHz(r = 0. 927, P <0.01). Except 0. 5 kHz, the thresholds of ASSR were correlated to pure tone thresholds, and the correlationships increased with the increase of carrier frequency. The correlations between the thresholds of ASSR and pure-tone audiometry in patients with varying degrees of air-bone gap showed ≤30dB HL group(r =0. 723,P<0.05), 31-60 dB HL group (r=0. 816,P <0.05) . Conclusion ASSR is correlated to pure-tone audiometry, and it would be useful in diagnosis of conductive hearing loss. Key words: Evoked potentials, auditory;  Audiometry, pure-tone;  Hearing loss, conductive;  Hearing tests;  Multi-frequency steady-state evoked potential;  Air-bone gap