Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) for Infant Hearing Testing

ABR Hearing Test can be used for threshold estimation of infants (when used with OAE testing), Site of Lesion Testing, and to rule out Auditory Neuropathy as part of Auditory processing test battery.

Medicare Rebates with GP/Specialist referral

ABR Hearing Estimation

ABR tests how the nerve and brainstem pathways for hearing are working and can estimate hearing for infant hearing testing and sometime on good natured non-verbal Adults.  This Test is included in the Auditory Processing Assessment and Infant Hearing under 5 years old Test Battery.   Please see those tests for costs involved.

ABR Site of Lesion Test

MRI has largely taken over, looking for site of lesion and Acoustic Neuromas testing but it is still a fairly sensitive test for Tumours over 1 cm large and for patients who aren't able to have an MRI for various reasons.

ABR in Auditory Processing Testing to rule out Auditory Neuropathy

Auditory Neuropathy is a hearing disorder in which the inner ear can detect sound but has issues sending it from the ear to the brain.  (This is part of our Auditory Processing Battery).

It can affect all ages from infancy to adulthood.   There are genetic risk factors as well issues during pregnancy and birth which can make it more likely.

The Hearing levels of afflicted patients with Auditory Neuropathy can range from normal to severe.   However very poor speech discrimination scores are nearly always found, and self-reported issues with speech clarity are generally reported.