The brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) test measures responses in brain waves that are stimulated by a clicking sound to check the central auditory (hearing) pathways of the brainstem.
You lie on a reclining chair or bed and remain still. Electrodes are placed on your scalp and on each earlobe. You hear clicking noises or tone bursts through earphones, and the electrodes pick up the brain's response and record it on a graph.
How to prepare for the test:
You may be asked to wash your hair the night before the test.
Infants and children:
The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age and experience. For general information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics:
The test is performed to help diagnose nervous system abnormalities, hearing losses (especially in low-birth-weight newborns), and to assess neurologic functions.
Review Date: 4/28/2005
Reviewed By: Chitra R. Uppaluri, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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