Design and Construction of a Portable EEG for Auditory Evoked Potential Measurements

Hypoacusia (or Hypoacusis) refers to the level of reduction, or loss, of hearing ability. In particular for newborns, it is important to determine if there is some level of hearing impairment during the first 3-6 months after birth in order to maximize the chances of recovery. This paper presents the design and construction of the EEG-ITM04, a stand-alone portable EEG dedicated for auditory evoked potential measurements. The prototype is based on an ultra low power microcontroller to extend battery life, and can be operated without a personal computer. A series of experiments was conducted on 5 young adults using the EEG-ITM04 and commercial equipment (Cadwell 7200). The results obtained with both equipments are consistent. The results also suggest the EEG-ITM04 can be used during routine screening and diagnosis, on locations where there is no access to specialized medical equipment.