Unlike a hearing evaluation, which evaluates how well you hear sound, an auditory brainstem response test (ABR) evaluates how well the sounds travel along the hearing nerve pathways to a particular part of the brain called the brainstem.

        An ABR may be recommended for a variety of reasons.  It can be used to estimate the sensitivity of the ear to sound, such as in the testing of newborns, older children who cannot perform well on a regular hearing test, or even adults who are unable to accurately complete a regular hearing test.

        For adults, the most common reason an ABR is recommended is to help eliminate the possibility of a disorder along the hearing nerve or in the brain itself.  Sometimes, such problems can mimic a typical hearing loss; fortunately, your audiologist has the skills, knowledge and experience to recognize hearing test findings that suggest there may be more to the hearing loss than meets the eye.

        To complete the ABR test, electrodes are pasted and taped to the scalp and earlobes and soft foam tips are inserted into the ear canals.  Clicking sounds then are delivered through the ear tips at a comfortable-to-fairly-loud level.  These sounds cause nerve responses that are picked up by the electrodes and passed on to sophisticated equipment to record these responses.  Your audiologist can then measure the responses to determine if they are normal or abnormal.  The results are then delivered to your physician so he or she can evaluate any possible need for further medical evaluation.