System and method for generating and recording auditory steady-state responses with a speech-like stimulus

A method of designing stimuli for an auditory steady-state recording, ASSR, system, the method comprising:

• Defining a number of different frequency specific stimuli, each having a specific frequency or center frequency and bandwidth;
• Defining an individual modulation rate or a repetition rate for each of the different frequency specific stimuli;
• Spectrally shaping the amplitude spectrum of each of the different frequency specific stimuli to provide spectrally shaped frequency specific stimuli;
• Combining the spectrally shaped frequency specific stimuli to provide a combined broad-band signal;
• Wherein the spectral shaping of the amplitude spectrum of each of the different frequency specific stimuli is configured to provide that the combined signal corresponds to the long-term spectrum of running speech spoken with a specific vocal effort;
• Amplitude modulating either each of the spectrally shaped frequency specific stimuli or the combined broad-band signal with a real or simulated envelope of running speech.

A stimulation system for designing and generating stimuli for an auditory steady-state recording, ASSR, system comprising:

• A stimulation generator for generating a number of different frequency specific stimuli, each having a specific frequency or center frequency and bandwidth, and the stimulation generator being configured to apply an individual modulation rate or a repetition rate to each of the different frequency specific stimuli;
• A spectral shaping unit for spectrally shaping the amplitude spectrum of each of the different frequency specific stimuli to provide spectrally shaped frequency specific stimuli;
• A combination unit for combining the spectrally shaped frequency specific stimuli to provide a combined broad-band signal;
• and
• An amplitude modulation unit for amplitude modulating either each of the spectrally shaped frequency specific stimuli or the combined broad-band signal with a real or simulated envelope of running speech:
• wherein the spectral shaping of the amplitude spectrum of each of the different frequency specific stimuli is configured to provide that the combined signal corresponds to the long-term spectrum of running speech spoken with a specific vocal effort.