BERA (Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry) test is an otoneurological test that examines brain function and auditory function in response to the sound stimulus. Later, only the interpretation and the testing of the result is carried out by the audiology specialist in Otorhinolaryngology. BERA test makes it possible to estimate the rate of passage of the nerve impulse through the auditory nerve. After that, the analysis of the test takes about an hour.
It is an impartial way of eliciting brain stem potentials in response to audiological click stimuli. In this method, electrodes are placed in the scalps which produce waves. It is used for the newborn hearing screening, auditory screening threshold, intraoperative monitoring, determine hearing loss type and its intensity, auditory nerve and brainstem lesion detection, and for the development of cochlear implants. This process is risk-free and not painful.
Methodology-
Handsets are used to hear different sounds. It measures the change in electrical activity (EEA) in the brain, in the emission of acoustic stimuli. The electrodes placed on the scalp i.e. on the surface of the head to the area behind the ear and forehead are used to create the electrical potentials in the auditory pathway. These electrical potentials are later recorded in the first ten milliseconds after the sound stimulations. These findings later explained on the basis of waves, which are received by the device. BERA test does not depend on the patients association. It is performed in a lying position. For children, rarely anesthesia is used. Sometimes it is performed while awake, by sedation or when in natural sleep.
Uses of BERA test-
- Evaluating case of deafness.
- Screening newborn for deafness.
- Intra-operative monitoring for the central nervous system.
Use for newborn-
- Head injury
- Exposure to Ototoxic drugs
- Babies of low standard weight at the time of birth
- Hearing loss.
- Concern for parents about hearing levels in their children
Requirements of BERA test-
Hearing is considered to be one of the important abilities in humans. Therefore, taking care of ears and hearing is very important.
Hearing depends on the nerves which transfer nerve impulses. A healthy hearing nerve transmits nerve impulses from the inner ear to the brain stem with known speed. BERA test can determine the rate at which nerve impulses reach the brain and Central Nervous System (CNS). If there is a delay, that can indicate the presence of hearing loss. In this way, the type of hearing loss (i.e. conductive, sensorineural, combined), degree (intensity or hearing threshold) and hearing loss (i.e. internal or higher part of hearing).
Apart from determining the intensity of hearing, the BERA test is also used in the Otoneurological diagnosis for patients with asymmetric or unilateral hearing impairment. These include auditory nerve tumors, brain tumors, various neurological disease, multiple sclerosis, sensorimotor degenerative neuropathy, etc.
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Both ear deaf