Repeatedly a solitary positive P1 peak was recorded from the auditory nerve in animal experiments during hypoxy. An explanation is given for this p1 peak, which is also found with people having pathological electrocochleograms. This P1 is formed in the auditory nerve by an approaching wave, a positive shift of polarity as introduction to the negatively directed membrane shifts of the actionpotential complex. Because of the latency-period of P1, it cannot be formed by the positive summating potential.