Electrophysiology

Testing to check how your brain responds to sound.

Auditory Brainstem Response

An auditory brainstem response (ABR) test may be done when your child is too young to respond or we are unable to complete behavioral testing. This test gives clinicians information on how your child’s hearing nerve is working and how well sounds reach the brain. For this test, first the clinician cleans the skin on the child’s forehead and earlobes, then electrode stickers are placed on the child’s forehead and back of their earlobes. Sounds are presented through earphones and the clinician records the child’s brain response.  The ABR tells clinicians if a hearing loss exists in either ear. This test is best completed if your child is asleep or very still. 

This test is also used in adults to examine the status of the auditory nerve.  

Electrocochleography (EcoG)

This test checks electrical activity of the inner ear hearing organ (cochlea) and hearing nerve using stickers (sensors) while listening to a sound in your ear. It is often used to help diagnose Meniere’s Disease.