ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response)

ABR is a neurologic test of auditory brain stem function in response to auditory(click) stimuli. It helps us diagnose the proper functioning of the inner ear and the brain’s response to sound. ABR test helps determine a child’s (infant’s) ability to hear. The test is performed when the child is sleeping by placing small sensors around the head; a pair of earphones is also placed over the ears. A computer will record the brain’s response through the electrodes once the sound is played through the earphones

OAE (Otoacoustic Emission)

Otoacoustic emissions are sounds given off by a tiny part of the cochlea (inner ear) when soft clicking sounds stimulate it. When the sound hits the cochlea, the outer hair cells vibrate. The vibration produces a nearly inaudible sound that echoes back into the middle ear recorded by the OAE equipment. The test is performed to check the response of the inner ear to sound.

The OAE test is helpful in Newborns hearing screening, which has become a routine in western countries as they might not able to respond to behavioural hearing tests.