Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Test in Gainesville, FL

Sometimes audiological testing of your ears indicates that the cause may be further along the nerve pathway into your brain. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing is used to evaluate the auditory nerve and see if the potential cause of your hearing problems might be there. The ABR is a very easy test to take, and it’s possible that you’ll fall asleep during the test. As long as you stay relaxed and don’t move around, that’s fine.

For the test, your audiologist will place electrodes on your forehead and behind your ears. The electrodes need to be on very clean skin, so don’t wear makeup, perfumes, or aftershave.

Once the electrodes are on, you’ll have earphones placed in your ears and you’ll hear clicks. Don’t respond to these and don’t move. If you’re sick, that could affect the test, especially if you have to sniffle and sneeze; rescheduling might be a better option in that case.