Abstract
Average evoked brain responses (EBRs) to three durations of one kilohertz pure-tone stimuli were computed from human scalp recordings. Stimuli of 25, 75, and 2,000 msec duration were each presented binaurally at each of eight equally spaced intensity levels, ranging from 58 to 86 dB SPL. EBRs computed immediately following presentation, and immediately following removal of the 2,000-msec-duration stimulus result in ON and OFF responses, respectively. EBRs computed immediately following presentation of the 25- and 75-msec-duration stimuli appear to be the result of the sum of separate responses to stimulus onset and offset. Computer-dissected ON and OFF EBRs to short-duration stimuli are very similar in waveform and amplitude to the responses evoked by the onset and offset, respectively, of the 2,000-msec duration stimulus. Dissected ON and OFF responses demonstrate linear amplitude-intensity functions in amplitude ranges similar to respective ON and OFF responses to 2,000-msec stimulation. The data suggest that ON and OFF responses are mediated by independent physiological mechanisms.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Cody, D. T. R., &Townsend, G. L. Some physiologic aspects of the averaged vertex response in humans.Audiology, 1973,12, 1–13.
Davis, H. Validation of evoked response audiometry (ERA) in deaf children.International Audiology, 1966,5, 77–81.
Davis, H., &Zerlin, S. Acoustic relations of the human vertex potential.Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 1966,39, 109–116.
Galambos, R. Studies of the auditory system with implanted electrodes. In G. L. Rasmussen & W. F. Wingle (Eds.),Neural mechanisms of the auditory and vestibular systems. Springfield, Ill: Thomas, 1960. Pp. 137–151.
Goldstein, M. H., HalL, J. L., &Butterfield, B. O. Single-unit activity in the primary auditory cortex of unanesthetized cats.Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 1968,43, 444–455.
Jasper, H. The ten-twenty electrode system of the international federation.Electroencaphalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1958,10, 371–375.
Johannsen, H. S., Keidel, W. D., &Spreng, M. Der Einfluss von Intensitat und Dauer der Beschallung auf den OFF-Effekt des akustisch evozierten Potentials.Archiv fuer klinische und experimentalle Ohren-, Nasen-, und Kehlkopfheilkunde, 1972,201, 208–221.
Katsuki, Y., Watanabe, T., &Maruyama, N. Activity of auditory neurons in upper levels of brain of cat.Journal of Neurophysiology, 1959,22, 343–359.
McCandless, G., &Best, L. Summed evoked responses using pure tone stimuli.Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 1966,9, 266.
Rapin, I., &Graziani, L. J. Auditory evoked responses in normal, brain damaged and deaf infants.Neurology (Minn.), 1967,17, 881–894.
Rau, R.-M. Über die Abhangigkeit der objectiv ermittelten Intensitatsfunktion des menschlichen Gehors von der Tonfolgefrequenz.Archiv fuer klinische und experimentelle Ohren-, Nasen-, und Kehlkopfheilkunde, 1968,190, 133–145.
Rose, D., &Malone, J. Some aspects of the acoustically evoked response to the cessation of stimulus.Journal of Auditory Research, 1965,9, 412–422,
Schweitzer, P, K., &Tepas, D. I. Intensity effects of the auditory evoked brain response to stimulus onset and cessation.Perception & Psychophysics, 1974,16, 396–400.
Skinner, P. H., &Jones, H. C. Effects of signal duration and rise-time on the auditory evoked potential.Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 1968,11, 301–306.
Spreng, M. Problems in objective cerebral audiometry using short sound stimulation.International Audiology, 1969,8, 424–429.
Spreng, M. Small computers in evoked response audiometry (ERA).Archiv fuer klinische und experimentelle Ohren-, Nasen-, und Kehlkopfheilkunde, 1971,198, 50–70.
Tepas, D. I. Computer analysis of the electroencephalogram: Evoking, promoting and provoking.Behavior Research Methods & Instrumentation, 1974,6, 95–110.
Tepas, D. I., Boxerman, L., &Anch, A. M. Auditory evoked brain responses: Intensity functions from bipolar human scalp recordings.Perception & Psychophysics, 1972,11, 217–221.
Tepas, D. I., Kress, G., &Klingaman, R. L. APE: Average potential evaluation software for the LAB-8 system.Behavior Research Methods & Instrumentation, 1975,7, 120–124.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was conducted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Results of this study were presented, in part, at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, New York City, April 1976.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schweitzer, P.K. Auditory evoked brain responses: Comparison of ON and OFF responses at long and short durations. Perception & Psychophysics 22, 87–94 (1977). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03206084
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03206084