ABR testing measures hearing. The test is commonly used to measure the hearing level of babies who are too young to perform a standard hearing test.
During the test, tiny brainwaves, which are produced in response to sound, are measured. The sound comes from small earphones or earplugs, and the brainwaves are measured using small sticky “electrodes” attached to the skin of the head. Babies need to be asleep for good test results. Sometimes this is possible naturally (occasionally assisted by a good drink of milk), and sometimes this requires a light general anesthetic.
ABR can accurately assess hearing levels. Commonly “Otoacoustic emission” (OAE) testing is performed at the same time to assess the function of the inner ear independently of the hearing nerve.
Research has identified that early intervention for children with hearing loss gives better outcomes for both their speech-language development and their educational achievement. For this reason audiologists aim to identify hearing loss as early as possible.
Risk factors for hearing loss (or which ABR testing may be essential) include:
- Extreme prematurity and / or low birth weight.
- Ear deformities.
- Family history of hearing loss.
- Congenital virus infections (eg CMV, cytomegalovirus).
- Down’s syndrome.
- ABR or other hearing assessment is also recommended when there is any concern at all about hearing loss in a child. Your audiologist will advise you of the testing most appropriate for you or your child.
Adults with hearing problems may sometimes require ABR to provide more information about the cause of a hearing loss.
Dilworth Hearing is the only private Audiology Company, which provides ABR and OAE testing services, and our clinicians are happy to answer any queries.
