An ABR is considered one of the premier screening tests in detecting hearing loss in newborns and infants under six months of age and is one of the best ways to diagnose hearing loss in infants.
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Refer a Patient with Pediatric Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)
An auditory brainstem response (ABR) test measures auditory nerve reactions in response to sounds. An ABR is not a hearing test itself, but it can be used to detect hearing loss in infants and very young children. Only about 3% of babies are referred for further testing following an ABR test.
Auditory brainstem response tests measure a child’s hearing threshold over several frequencies. Audiologists can test and record by introducing low amplitude sounds into a child’s ear (or through bone conduction—BCABR) and the results are recorded to a computer.
An audiologist may recommend your child for an ABR test due to the findings of an otoacoustic emissions (OAE) screening or other hearing test. Children who aren't old enough for behavioral tests such as visual reinforcement or conditioned play audiometry may also be referred for an ABR test.
Some children – such as infants or those with developmental delays – are not able to have their hearing tested effectively with traditional behavioral tests. The auditory brainstem response (ABR) test is a painless test that measures your child’s hearing nerve’s response to sound. It can also tell doctors that each individual ear is working normally or, if not, what the level of hearing loss is.
Despite the gadgets needed for ABR/BCABR tests (electrodes, earphones/headphones), they are non-invasive and completely safe. The procedure takes an hour or two while your child sleeps.
The audiologist places small, sterilized electrodes (“stickers”) on your baby’s forehead and ears. The electrodes are connected to a computer that reads EEG activity. Earphones with neonatal ear tips (inserts) go inside your baby’s ear canals. The audiologist will play either “clicks” or a “tone burst” through the earphones.
Bone conduction auditory brainstem response (BCABR) works in much the same way as standard ABR. In BCABR, bone conduction headphones replace the earphones. BCABR measures auditory responses by stimulating the cochlear.
While your child sleeps, the audiologist will place electrodes on your child’s forehead and ears, which send EEG readings to a computer. Low amplitude clicks and tone bursts are sent through the air (earphones) or bone conduction (headphones) to test your baby’s hearing threshold across a range of frequencies.
Once the audiologist finishes collecting data, she will tell you if your child's hearing is fine or if he needs further testing. Only about 3% of infants are referred on for other hearing tests.
The best way to make sure your baby sleeps through the ABR test is to make sure he's tired and hungry. Parents should keep children up late the night before the appointment and wake them up early.
The key is to make sure your baby is ready for a feeding and a nap at the time of the appointment. He/she will sleep either in a crib or your arms for the duration of the test. Children older than 6 months usually need sedation so they can sleep through the test.
Your baby should be tired and hungry prior to the test. You should keep her up late and wake her early so she’s ready for a nap during the appointment.
ABR tests are most often used on newborns and infants under 6 months of age. Your child may have been referred for an ABR test due to the results of an otoacoustic or similar test.
The tests can identify problems with your baby’s cochlear (inner ear) and the auditory nerves that travel from the cochlear to the brain.
ABR and BCABR tests are among the best tests available for hearing screening in newborns and infants. Only about 3% of children are referred for further testing upon receiving an ABR test.