The frequency selectivity of the 500 HZ frequency following response.

In order to evaluate the frequency selectivity of the 500 Hz FFR we applied narrow-band masking at closely spaced center frequencies in the range 0.25 to 4 kHZ. The results show clearly that it is the apical part of the cochlea that generates the 500 Hz FFR, but the area of the basilar membrane that contributes is rather broad. It was evident that some of the masking effect that was observed in the Vertex-derived response stemmed from as yet obsure brain stem mechanisms. Examination of 3 patients with selected types of hearing impairment confirmed the masking results. When there is a low frequency loss there will still be a 500 Hz FFR and the same is true when the loss is in the medium to high frequencies. It is possible that precise determination of the latency to single waves in the response may allow a more exact prediction with regard to which location on the basilar membrane generates the response in the individual patient.