ABR testing measures hearing. The test is commonly used to measure the hearing level of babies who are too young to perform a standard hearing test.
During the test, tiny brainwaves, which are produced in response to sound, are measured. The sound comes from small earphones or earplugs, and the brainwaves are measured using small sticky “electrodes” attached to the skin of the head. Babies need to be asleep for good test results. Sometimes this is possible naturally (occasionally assisted by a good drink of milk), and sometimes this requires a light general anesthetic.
ABR can accurately assess hearing levels. Commonly “Otoacoustic emission” (OAE) testing is performed at the same time to assess the function of the inner ear independently of the hearing nerve.
For this test, Taylor had to be sedated. This was done with the nurse giving her a very nasty medicine (while I was holding her) and waiting to see if it was enough to put her to sleep. After about 15 minutes she hadn't fallen asleep so they had to give her some more. After that within 5 mins she was sound asleep and they were able to start the testing. It took quite some time and Taylor just woke up as they were finishing.
We had to stay at the hospital for a couple of hours after that until Taylor was given the all-clear from the sedation. It was very hard as she was very wobbly and they wouldn't let her walk around for fear of her hurting herself. We were very pleased when they finally let us go home.
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