Correlation between pure tone audiometry and auditory steady state responses

The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of ASSR test. The subjects were consisted of 82 patients with sensorineural hearing loss of different stages and 20 patients with normal hearing. Pure tone audiometry and ASSR thresholds were measured for both groups and correlation between them were examined. While the data obtained from patients with sensorineural hearing loss at frequencies 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz showed statistically significant correlation, at 4000 Hz the results were uncorrelated. Among control group subjects, the results from all tested frequencies for both tests were also statistically uncorrelated. In consideration of these obtained data, it was shown that the ASSR test is not a reliable test by itself to determine normal hearing threshold. Although the test shows consistency in itself, we do believe its use is not good enough to replace pure tone audiometry. The ASSR test can be used as a complementary test to provide additional data on evaluation of hearing loss.