Properties of the Brain-stem Response Slow-Wave Component: II. Frequency Specificity

Frequency specificity of a slow-wave response (SWR) of the brain-stem response (BSR) was measured with a simultaneous masking tuning-curve paradigm. The SWR tuning curves to 250-Hzz tone pips show greatest sensitivity to 350- to 400-Hz maskers. The SWR tuning curves to 500-Hz tone pips are most sensitive to 500- and 600-Hz maskers. Higher-frequency tuning curves show greatest sensitivity when masker frequency is equal to signal frequency. Frequency specificity is preserved to 80-dB sound-pressure level or 55- to 65-dB sensation level. Tone-pip frequencies of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 kHz appear to be adequate stimuli for eliciting a frequency-specific SWR. The 250-Hzz tone pip does not elicit a frequency-specific SWR and is probably not a useful test frequency under the present recording conditions.