Enhancement of the auditory evoked response by conditioning.

Abstract

Averaged electroencephalic audiometry has previously demonstrated that cortical responses to auditory stimuli increase and decrease in a direct relationship with stimulus sensation levels. This study utilized a conditioning paradigm with bimodal stimulus presentations in order to effect an enhancement of the auditory evoked response at low sensation levels with normal hearing subjects. The conditioning procedure that was used was found to enhance significantly the percentage of responses as well as the response amplitude. The individual specificity of the response remained unaffected by the conditioning. Response latencies were increased as a result of conditioning. Response latencies were increased as a result of conditioning.