Auditory Brainstem

Response (ABR)
Testing
The ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response) test
can be used to detect hearing loss. It checks
your child’s brain’s response to sound. The test
is mostly done on infants and children who may
not be able to respond to behavioral hearing
tests because of their age. Your child will not
feel anything during this test.

How is the test done?

The test can only be done when your child is
sleeping.

Small electrodes (sensors that measure brain

activity) will be placed on your child’s forehead
and earlobes or mastoid bone, and earphones
will be placed over his or her ears.
An electrode gel will be used on your child’s
head and ears so that there is good contact
between the skin and the electrodes.

Once your child is sleeping, sound will be played

through the earphones. His or her brain’s
response to this sound will be recorded through
the electrodes and recorded on the computer.

What’s the difference

between a sedated ABR and
unsedated ABR hearing test?
A sedated ABR hearing test means special
medicine helps your child sleep through the test;
an unsedated test means your child is naturally
sleeping through it.

An unsedated hearing testing is typically done

on newborns to 5 months of age. At
approximately 6 months of age, children do not
sleep as soundly and it becomes difficult to
obtain the amount of information necessary. A
sedated ABR hearing test is typically done then.
How should I prepare my
child for the test?
Your child’s head and ears must be clean and
free of any lotion or oils so the small electrodes
will have good contact and stick well.

If your child is older than 6 months of age, he or

she will get medicine to sedate or calm them for
the ABR test. A doctor or nurse will give him or
her medicine, and the test will be administered.
You will be able to see your child as he or she is
waking up.

If your child is under 6 months of age, the ABR

test can be done while he or she is sleeping
naturally (without medicine). It is important to
bring the child to the appointment sleepy and
hungry. You will have time to feed your child and
get him or her asleep during the appointment.

How long is the test?

This test can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

What happens after the test?

Once the test is finished, the electrodes and
earphones will be taken off. Small red spots may
appear where the electrodes were placed.
These will go away quickly. The test results will
be read by the audiologist. Once these are read,
the audiologist will tell you what the results
mean and talk to you about any other treatments
your child may need. 

Why is it important to have

your child’s hearing tested by
a pediatric audiologist?
Pediatric audiologists are specially trained
clinicians who have expertise in working with
children, specifically identifying hearing loss in
children. A pediatric audiologist will be able to
decide which tests are important to do, and
complete them with accuracy and efficiency. If a
hearing loss is identified, the pediatric
audiologist will give you information about
hearing loss, communication options and
resources.