Hearing Center Auditory Brainstem Response

When it comes to children, a hearing center cannot always depend on the traditional auditory testing to get results

. Imagine a small child being asked to listen for certain sounds and explain what they hear and its intensity. When a child cannot communicate, this test does not do much good and in some ways can be a waste of time. Instead, an Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test is considered to be reliable and objective.

How is it different from a traditional test at the hearing center?

The ABR test does not need a child or adult to respond to the sounds. Instead, the brain is measured for its response to the series of clicks that the subject hears. Both the middle and inner ear are investigated and the test makes in indirect assessment of the ability to hear or lack thereof. Even if a patient is under anesthesia or sedation, the responses are still recorded and helpful.

Who should be tested with Auditory Brainstem Response testing?

Newborns that are at risk for loss in their ability to hear can benefit from Auditory Brainstem Response test. Young children cannot vocalize what they hear during traditional testing so this is one of the only ways to determine whether there is loss. This includes infants and younger children as well as older children and adults that do not have the ability to communicate their responses. In traumatic situations, it can be an indicator for patients that have experienced a head injury. While these severe cases may not be administered in a hearing center, more general testing can be done at a local facility.

How does the test work?

A newborn, child, or adult should be resting peacefully or be asleep in order for the ABR test to be successful. In some cases, a doctor may require that a patient undergo sedation to reach a relaxed state. Special earpieces are placed into the ear canals to deliver a series of clicks (noises) to each side. Clicks can be more or less intense; depending on the audiologist administers the test and the age and circumstances of the patient. The headband is used to record the brainwaves of the patient based on the noises heard.

Once the test is complete, the computer compares the patient's test results to an average person's results. This provides valuable information about how much the patient was able to hear and the severity of loss he or she is experiencing. This is in no way harmful to the patient. There is no discomfort throughout the process. This type of appointment usually takes between one to two hours.

If you or someone you love needs an ABR test, contact your local hearing center to get more information.

by: Andrea Avery

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