Brainstem auditory evoked potentials

Abstract

The auditory brainstem evoked potential (ABEP) is probably the potential with the most names and acronyms in the field. The potential is also commonly known as the auditory brainstem response (ABR), the auditory evoked potential (AEP), the brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP), and the short-latency AEP [1]. However, despite its large number of names, it is one of the simpler potentials recorded in the operating room. Auditory stimulation results in a train of evoked potentials that extend for a prolonged period of time (up to 250 ms). However in the operating room, we are predominantly concerned with the short-latency, subcortical responses, often termed the short-latency auditory evoked potentials. Colleagues in audiology use the longer latency potentials in their assessment of hearing [2].