[A practical application of brainstem evoked response audiometry (author's transl)].

After a brief review of Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) for clinical diagnosis of middle and inner ear hearing losses (Fig. 2, 3) and retrocochlear damages a new practical application is presented: Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry in Tympanoplasty. Recordings of acoustically evoked brainstem potentials have been made in middle ear surgery in order to get direct objective information about the mobility of the stapes (Fig. 4) and the sound conducting mechanism of the middle ear after tympanoplasty (Fig. 5). Because of the damping factor of the middle ear after tympanoplastic reconstruction quantitative evaluation of sound transmission to the internal ear. Via brainstem potentials evoked by loudspeakers or probe tubes is difficult. Therefore, a special mechanical vibrating system for direct stimulation of the middle ear apparatus at various locations will have to be developed.