A historical review of cortical auditory evoked potentials

Long-latency (or cortical) auditory evoked potentials (LLAEP/CAEP) reflect the cortical processing of acoustic signals. This method is currently utilized in audiological, neurological and neurolinguistics research. LLAEP were first discovered serendipitously in 1939 during neurophysiological investigations of cortical bioelectrical activity. Subsequent studies established the reliability of LLAEPs as a biomarker for the maturation of central auditory system in individuals with normal hearing and those with hearing impairment, as well as in users of hearing aids or cochlear implants. LLAEP have also been investigated as a method for assessing cognitive auditory processing, such as speech discrimination abilities. This review outlines the history of LLAEP research, the principal trends in its investigation across different periods, and the specific contributions of Russian scientists to the field.