Auditory brain stem response wave V latency-intensity function and three audiologic measures of cochlear function.

The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity of the ABR wave V latency-intensity (L-I) function to that of Alternate Binaural Loudness Balance, Loudness Discomfort Level, and Acoustic Reflex Threshold tests in identifying sensory hearing losses. Five audiometric groups were tested by each procedure. The groups included subjects with normal hearing, and with conductive, high-frequency sensory, flat sensory, and retrocochlear hearing losses. The ability of each test to separate sensory from retrocochlear impairments was investigated. A positive discriminator for cochlear impairments was of particular interest. A combination of wave V L-I slope at lower intensities and the dB HL value that separates steep and shallow slopes of the L-I function appears to meet this objective.