subject: The Auditory Steady State Response Hearing Test For Children [print this page] Getting a hearing test for your baby may be frightening. It is difficult to have a baby that you believe is unable to hear. It is important to get your baby the attention needed in order to know early on whether your child will be able to hear or not and at what level. The truth can be difficult, but early diagnosis is so important.
A hearing test that has been done for years is the ABR. A similar, newer way is the Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR). It too is done during sleep. It measures the response of the auditory nerve, but it is more frequency related. With this test, it will be easier to know what types of sounds your child may or may not hear by frequency.
This ASSR is also a faster hearing test. This is very beneficial for babies because they will not always want to sleep when you desire them to do so. When compared to the ABR, the ASSR also can be turned up louder which helps the tester to know what type of impairment a child has.
The downside to this hearing test is that it is difficult with it to differentiate between loss that is mild and what is actually normal. Because of this, a child can be misdiagnosed in either direction. Either way would be negative. A child who receives aids when not necessary will not be a happy camper, and a child who does not get them who needs them will not develop as well as he or she should.
If you believe your child does have an inability to hear normally, then it is important to go to an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor to have your child's ears examined. From there, he or she will most likely suggest you see an audiologist unless the issue appears to be something that is allergy or infection related. In these cases, medicine or tubes might be helpful.
If you are referred to the audiologist in-house or elsewhere, go in with an open mind. The audiologist you use may or may not have the ASSR. The office may use the ABR. Either of these tests will be helpful. You might need to have a couple of tests if some are inconclusive.
This road can be long and difficult, but when you get answers you will be able to go forward with the right steps. There is a great deal of help available for children with impairments in this area. The first step is to see a doctor and then have a hearing test done if he or she feels it is necessary.
by: Andrea Avery
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