Applications of auditory evoked potentials to evaluate hearing disorders: assets and limitations.

A variety of auditory evoked potentials for audiometric use are briefly reviewed and their assets and shortcomings discussed. Auditory brainstem evoked potentials provide the most audiometric parameters per patient evaluation time. Illustrative case reports are summarized to demonstrate the assets and pitfalls in evoked potential audiometric evaluations. Frequency contents of the stimulus used to evoke the potentials, the normative values for parameters evaluated, and the notion that the potentials reflect only the functioning of their generators must be constantly borne in mind. The primary concern must be the patient's welfare, and unnecessary procedures should be avoided.