What is the polarity of BAEP Wave 1?

Wave 1 of the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAEP) is recognized as the first identifiable wave following the presentation of an auditory stimulus. The key characteristic of this wave is its negative polarity. This negative polarity is attributed to the electrical activity generated by the cochlear nerve and the lower brainstem auditory pathways, reflecting initial neural responses to sound stimuli. Therefore, identifying the polarity of Wave 1 as negative is essential for interpreting the BAEP correctly, as it provides vital information about the integrity of the auditory system and the functional status of the peripheral auditory pathways.