10.Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)

This is an extension of the standard hearing test, and further measures the auditory nerve from the ear (cochlea organ) to the brain. It is a relatively simple and non-invasive test.

Method
The audiologist will first cleanse the skin on the forehead and ears and will place very small recordings cups onto the head and earlobes with gel. Then the patient lies comfortably on a bed with their eyes closed, in a darkened room, as clicking sounds are played for about 5 minutes into each ear separately. The recording cups measure brain activity which help to determine how the brain is hearing and processing the sounds, and so there is no response needed from the patient.

Preparation    None

Time taken: Approximately 30 minutes