[Problems of electric response audiometry in practice]

Abstract

In recent years Electric Response Audiometry (ERA) has become a valuable method in the clinical audiology. However, there are two specific problems that make Electric Response Audiometry more complicated than other hearing tests. First, the evaluation of the averaged signals is subjective, and in some cases the distinction between response signals and remaining electrical background noise or artifacts may be rather difficult. The second problem concerns the interpretation of response signals. As there is no simple but only an ambiguous relation between response parameters and the different types of hearing disorders, again, it depends on clinical experience and knowledge to avoid misinterpretations and to arrive at a reliable diagnosis.