THE USE of evoked response averaging technique has been available for approximately the past ten years. Although this procedure of averaging the ongoing electroencephalogram activity as a means of evaluating the various aspects of the auditory system has been available, to date there has been very little information reported regarding its objective usefulness as a clinical tool for use with the mentally retarded population. Two exceptions are the work of Hogan and Graham1 and Nodar.2 Certainly the early work of Geisler et al3 and Lowell4 provides the basis for perhaps a new breakthrough in objective audiometry.
As is the case with any new clinical procedure, the initial enthusiasm which was engendered is followed by a more objective and conservative evaluation of the procedure. It is perhaps the early objective evaluation of the procedure as a clinical tool that has curtailed some enthusiasm in the area. The