What is it called when there is a decrease in amplitude during a BAEP test?

During a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP) test, a decrease in amplitude refers to a significant reduction in the height of the waves recorded in response to auditory stimuli. This phenomenon can indicate various issues within the auditory pathway, including potential disorders affecting the auditory nerve or brainstem pathways.

Choosing "amplitude decrease" correctly identifies the specific observation made during the test. When clinicians note a decrease in amplitude, they are documenting a quantifiable change that is critical for evaluating a patient's auditory function and diagnosing potential pathologies.

The other terms mentioned in the options refer to different aspects of interpreting BAEP results. "Inter-peak latency" pertains to the timing differences between peaks of auditory waves, which can also provide important information but does not directly describe a reduction in amplitude. "Absolute latency" refers to the time delays associated with each individual wave, again not related to amplitude changes. "Wave loss," while it may imply a similar concept, typically denotes a complete absence of a waveform rather than a reduction in amplitude. Thus, the focus on amplitude decrease as the term captures the essence of the specific observation made during the BAEP test.