diff --git a/hs_detection/detect/__init__.py b/hs_detection/detect/__init__.py
index 77e987f..b4d4ca6 100644
--- a/hs_detection/detect/__init__.py
+++ b/hs_detection/detect/__init__.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ class Params(TypedDict):
     'rescale': True,
     'rescale_value': -1280.0,
 
-    'common_reference': 'median',
+    'common_reference': 'average',
 
     'spike_duration': 1.0,
     'amp_avg_duration': 0.4,