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ABR's | CAPD | Hearing Testing

Auditory Evoked Potentials (ABR)

What is an ABR

Auditory Evoked Potentials (ABR) – Checks the acoustic nerve function up to and into the first part of the brain (Pons).

Reasons for Having an ABR

An ABR test can identify sensorineural hearing loss, or nerve damage, through measuring responses in the hearing nerve pathway. ABRs are often requested for special populations and children who cannot reliably participate in behavioral audiometric testing. In infants and children, ABR's can be more precise in measuring hearing sensitivity then behavioral testing. It can more accurately determine the softest sound the child's ears can detect. Also, if abnormalities appear during a standard audiometric evaluation, an ABR may be requested to further evaluate the cause of those abnormalities.

How to Prepare for an ABR

  • Children under 6 months of age are usually not sedated and the test is performed while the child is naturally sleeping
  • Children over the age of 6 months may be sedated in order to reduce movement and obtain accurate, clear recordings. If sedation is required, the patient will need to be sedated by their physician prior to testing
  • Adults are not sedated and do not have any specific requirements for preparation
  • Arrive 15 minutes prior to the appointment in order to have enough time to fill out paperwork

Testing Procedure

All objective testing involves the following steps:

  1. Several points on the patient's face and ears will be scrubbed with an exfoliating gel
  2. At these points, electrode pads will be adhered to the patient skin
  3. The electrode pads will be connected to wires, which allow the audiologist to record brainwave responses to sound
  4. The patient will also wear insert earphones through which they will hear brief clicks or tone pips
    • This test can take up to 2 hour to complete
    • During the test, the patient will be sitting comfortably on a chair and asked to relax. Even for adults, it can be helpful if the patient falls asleep

Pediatric Case History Form