The 40-Hz Event-Related Potential as a Measure of Auditory Sensitivity in Normals

Estimates of behavioral threshold using the 40-Hz Event-Related Potential (ERP) were obtained on sixteen normal subjects at frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz, and compared with behavioral thresholds for the same stimuli. The mean differences were within 10 dB at the three lowest frequencies. The mean difference at 4000 Hz was 16 dB. Peak amplitude of the response did not vary significantly either with signal amplitude or test frequency, but the latency of the response varied significantly with frequency. Factors which may affect the reliability and validity of the 40-Hz ERP are discussed.