[The importance of the "contingent negative variation" (CNV) for audiometry (author's transl)]

Abstract

Previous proofs of "central processes" in hearing were based on the determination of the late "auditory evoked potentials" (AEP's: 50--300 ms) in EEG. The appearance of AEP's in different sleep stages raises the question, if the AEP actually conscious hearing. Since the discovery of the "Contingent Negative Variation" (CNV), as a potential depending on conscious and cognitive factors, an appropriate "instrument" is available to solve this problem. Using the CNV-technique three proofs of central auditory perception are described and discussed: a) "The objective proof of the perception of pure-tones", useful for threshold determination, test in the case of simulation and central hearing disorders. b) "The objective proof of the perception of stimulus-changes", useful for exact determination of differential thresholds for frequencies or intensities. c) "The objective speech audiometry", proof of speech comprehension, useful in case of aphasia and simulation.