Special Tests including ABR and OAE Testing

Auditory Brainstem Evoked Response Testing (ABR or BAER test)

Appalachian Audiology has Bluetooth ABR equipment. This means that the individual need not be sedated. In fact, it is possible with this equipment to read a book, or even quietly eat a peanut butter sandwich while the test is underway!

ABR tests are used to provide diagnostic information about the auditory pathway from the cochlea to the brain stem. Some diagnostic questions answered with these tests relate to Meniere Disease, type of hearing loss, hearing thresholds in the very young infant or child, lesions in the brain, and vestibular (balance) problems. For individuals with asymmetric hearing loss who cannot have an MRI, this helps to rule out a retro-cochlear lesion as a factor in the hearing loss. When auditory neuropathy is suspected, ABR is part of the dianostic battery used in the diagnosis.

Typical tests (on medical referral) with this equipment include ABR, Electrocochleography, and VEMP.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

Appalachian Audiology has both Transient and Distortion Product Otoacoustic emission testing capability. This can be both a screening and a diagnostic test, typically used in follow-up testing for infants who fail the newborn hearing screening prior to discharge from the hospital.

Another use for this test is to perform weekly monitoring of individuals in treatment with chemotherapy known to cause damage to hearing. It is very sensitive in measuring the viability of the outer hair cells in the cochlea, the vulnerable part of the hearing mechanism to oto-toxic medications like certain chemo-therapies.

Should I See an Audiologist?

Many times hearing loss goes undetected for years before being diagnosed and properly treated.

You can take a short hearing self-test and see if you currently experience any conditions that are indications of hearing loss.

If you are experiencing any hearing loss have your hearing tested by an ASHA certified audiologist.

Appalachian Audiology's Green Team Initiatives.

130 Mabry Hood Road, Suite 103   |   Knoxville, TN 37922   |   tel: (865) 357-2334   |   fax: (865) 357-2416