My daughter was born three weeks early. When she was two months old, she did not react to loud sounds. She would not turn her head when I clapped near her ear. Her pediatrician suggested two special tests. An ABR test and an ASSR test. I had never heard of these before. I was terrified. But after going through both tests with my baby, I want to explain what they are.

What Is an ABR Test and Why Is It Done

ABR test stands for Auditory Brainstem Response. It measures how the hearing nerve and brain react to sound. The ABR test does not require the patient to do anything. This makes ABR test perfect for newborn babies. Small stickers called electrodes are placed on the head and behind the ears. Soft earphones are put in the ears. Clicking sounds are played, and the electrodes record how the brain responds. The whole ABR test takes about thirty minutes.

What Is an ASSR Test and How It Is Different

ASSR test stands for Auditory Steady State Response. It is similar to ABR test but more detailed. While ABR test tells whether the hearing nerve is working, ASSR test can measure hearing loss at different frequencies separately. For example, an ASSR test can tell you if your child hears low sounds but cannot hear high sounds. Many audiologists use both ABR test and ASSR test together.

Why My Baby Needed Both ABR Test and ASSR Test

The first ABR test showed that my baby had some response to loud sounds but not to soft ones. The ASSR test showed that my baby could hear low frequency sounds at sixty decibels but high frequency sounds only at ninety decibels. That meant she had high frequency hearing loss. Without the ASSR test, we would have bought the wrong type of hearing aid.

How to Prepare a Child for ABR Test and ASSR Test

Both tests require the child to be completely still or asleep. My baby was given a mild sedative syrup. She slept through both tests. The electrodes do not hurt. Some hospitals perform the tests during natural sleep. Do not be afraid of sedation. The dose is very small and wears off within two hours.

What the Results Meant for Us

We started early intervention when my baby was only three months old. She got hearing aids before her first birthday. Now she is two years old and speaks almost as well as other children her age. If we had not done the ABR test and ASSR test early, she would have missed critical years for language development.

Final Words for Worried Parents

The names ABR test and ASSR test sound scary. But the reality is simple. Your child sleeps through both tests. The results come in a clear graph. If the tests show a problem, you get help early. If they are normal, you get peace of mind. Please do not delay.