BERA/ASSR

BERA (Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry) / ASSR (Auditory Steady State Response) are advanced hearing tests used to evaluate the functioning of the auditory pathway from the ear to the brain. These tests are especially useful for individuals who cannot actively respond, such as newborns, infants, or uncooperative patients. In BERA, electrodes are placed on the scalp to record electrical responses generated by the auditory nerve and brainstem when sound stimuli are presented through earphones. It helps in identifying hearing loss and detecting neurological problems along the hearing pathway. ASSR is a similar objective test that measures the brain’s response to continuous sound stimuli at different frequencies. It provides more detailed and frequency-specific information about hearing thresholds, making it useful for accurate hearing level estimation. Both tests are painless and non-invasive, though the patient needs to remain still or may be in a natural sleep state for accurate results. In infants, these tests are often done while they are sleeping. BERA is commonly used for neurological assessment and screening of hearing in newborns, while ASSR is often used for precise hearing threshold estimation and hearing aid fitting. These tests play a crucial role in early diagnosis and management of hearing loss, allowing timely intervention and better outcomes in speech and language development.