How accurate is ABR testing?
ABR accuracy is excellent for detecting average sensorineural hearing loss at 2 and 4 kHz in excess of 30 dB, and the overall results for a wide range of hearing loss and ABR abnormality criteria can be conveniently summarized in terms of relative operating characteristics (ROCs).
What is the advantage of ABR over OAES during newborn hearing screening?
OAE screening is sufficient for most newborns, but ABR screening reduces the number of vulnerable babies who might get left behind. For example, preemies may have underdeveloped auditory nerves, causing hearing loss.
Why using both OAE and ABR is important in ensuring correct diagnosis of hearing loss in babies?
When a transient middle ear condition is present, both technologies will likely result in the newborn not passing the screening. Both OAE and ABR screening reflect physiologic processes within the auditory system and identify hearing loss most accurately from 2kHz to 4kHz.
What is OAE and ABR?
An ABR (auditory brainstem response), or an OAE (otoacoustic emissions testing) hearing test is done when a baby is born or a child is very young. The two tests are similar, yet different. An OAE is usually done at birth, followed by an ABR if the OAE test results indicate a possible hearing loss.
How do you read ABR results?
Interpretation of results When interpreting the ABR, we look at amplitude (the number of neurons firing), latency (the speed of transmission), interpeak latency (the time between peaks), and interaural latency (the difference in wave V latency between ears).
What are normal ABR results?
In general, ABR exhibits a sensitivity of over 90% and a specificity of approximately 70-90%. Sensitivity for small tumors is not as high. For this reason, a symptomatic patient with a normal ABR result should receive a follow-up audiogram in 6 months to monitor for any changes in hearing sensitivity or tinnitus.
