Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To reduce stimulus transduction artifacts in EEG while using insert earphones. DESIGN: Reference Equivalent Threshold SPLs were assessed for Etymotic ER-4B earphones in 15 volunteers. Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and middle latency responses (MLRs)-as well as long-duration complex ABRs-to click and /dα/ speech stimuli were recorded in a single-case design. RESULTS: Transduction artifacts occurred in raw EEG responses, but they were eliminated by shielding, counter-phasing (averaging across stimuli 180° out of phase), or rereferencing. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical grade ABRs, MLRs, and cABRs can be recorded with a standard digital EEG system and high-fidelity insert earphones, provided one or more techniques are used to remove the stimulus transduction artifact.