Authors: Miguel Temboury¹
¹Technical University of Denmark
Background: Auditory evoked potentials (AEP) are electrophysiological measures used as objective diagnostic tools. However, the relationship between AEP morphology and cochlear status is complex, making interpretation and diagnostic assessments challenging.
Methods: Here, an AEP modeling framework was developed using a state-of-the-art computational auditory nerve (AN) model and a transformation corresponding to a given electrode configuration (e.g., for peripheral and brainstem potentials). AEPs to periodic stimuli (e.g., pure tones and amplitude-modulated tones, representing frequency- and envelope-following responses, respectively) were simulated across a range of levels. Additionally, compound action potentials and auditory brainstem responses to transients were simulated and compared to recordings in 20 young, normal-hearing participants at a range of levels.
Results: The model successfully replicated full AEP waveforms for transient and periodic stimuli across stimulus levels. Additionally, it was used to explore AEP generation mechanisms, with the interaction of AN fibers explaining several phenomena observed in experimental AEPs. To evaluate the effects of cochlear damage, we implemented a range of impairment profiles, including audiogram-based losses of varying severity, profiles derived from human histopathological aging studies, and hypothetical cases of isolated cellular damage. The resulting simulations systematically documented how different types and degrees of cochlear pathology affect AEPs. Notably, simulated impaired AEPs qualitatively matched patterns reported in animal models of hearing loss.
Conclusions: This modeling framework offers a powerful tool for hypothesis testing and interpretation of experimental AEP data, with potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and inform the development of personalized hearing rehabilitation strategies.
