Optimizing the bandpass filter for acoustic stimuli in recording ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials

•BPF of 1-1000 Hz showed larger oVEMP amplitude than BPF of 10-1000 Hz and BPF of 100-1000 Hz.•BPF of 1-1000 Hz did not significantly differ in oVEMPs from BPF of 1-500 Hz and BPF of 1-2000 Hz.•The optimal BPF setting for acoustic stimuli in recording oVEMP is suggested between 1 and 1000 Hz.

This study aimed to determine the optimal bandpass filter (BPF) setting for acoustic stimuli in recording the ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP). Twelve healthy volunteers underwent oVEMP tests using acoustic stimuli with various high-pass filters (1, 10 and 100 Hz) and low-pass filters (500, 1000 and 2000 Hz). Initially, various effects of high-pass filter on the oVEMPs were examined under Conditions A (BPF of 1-1000 Hz), B (BPF of 10-1000 Hz) and C (BPF of 100-1000 Hz). Of these conditions, Condition A showed 100% response rate and had larger nI-pI amplitude than Conditions B and C. Thus, Condition A was selected for subsequent analysis of the various effects of low-pass filter on the oVEMPs. However, Condition A (BPF of 1-1000 Hz) did not significantly differ from Conditions D (BPF of 1-500 Hz) and E (BPF of 1-2000 Hz) in terms of the latencies and amplitudes of oVEMPs. Condition A thus is supposed to be the optimal recording condition for oVEMPs. In conclusion, the optimal BPF setting for acoustic stimuli in recording oVEMPs is suggested to be between 1 and 1000 Hz.