Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated either with 1,2-diethylbenzene (1,2-DEB) or its putative active metabolite, 1,2-diacetylbenzene (1,2-DAB). Experimental rats and appropriate controls were examined electrophysiologically for brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP). Oral administration of 1,2-DEB (75 or 100 mg kg-1 once a day, 4 days a week, for 8 weeks) and intraperitoneal injection of 1,2-DAB (10 or 15 mg kg-1 once a day, 4 days a week, for 8 weeks) produced time- and dose-dependent increases in the peak latencies of all BAEP components as well as in interpeak (I-V) differences, and a decrease in the amplitudes of all the components. The absolute and interpeak latencies recovered partially during an 8-week (1,2-DEB) or a 10-week (1,2-DAB) recovery period, whereas there were long-lasting decreases in peak amplitudes.