BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuBAER - brainstem auditory evoked responseEvoked auditory potentials; Brainstem auditory evoked potentials; Evoked response audiometry; Auditory brainstem response; ABR; BAEPBrainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) is a test to measure the brain wave activity that occurs in response to clicks or certain tones. How the Test is Performed You lie on a reclining chair or bed and remain still. Electrodes are placed on your scalp and on each earlobe. A brief click or tone will be transmitted through earphones you are wearing during the test. The electrodes pick up the brain's responses to these sounds and record them. You do not need to be awake for this test. How to Prepare for the Test You may be asked to wash your hair the night before the test.Young children often need medicine to help them relax (sedation) so they can stay still during the procedure. Why the Test is Performed The test is done to:Help diagnose nervous system problems and hearing loss (especially in newborns and children) Find out how well the nervous system works Check hearing ability in people who cannot do other hearing testsThis test may also be performed during surgery to decrease the risk for injury to the hearing nerve and brain. Normal Results Normal results vary. Results will depend on the person and the instruments used to perform the test. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal test results may be a sign of hearing loss, multiple sclerosis, acoustic neuroma, or stroke.Hearing lossHearing loss is being partly or totally unable to hear sound in one or both ears.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Acoustic neuromaAn acoustic neuroma is a slow-growing tumor of the nerve that connects the ear to the brain. This nerve is called the vestibular cochlear nerve. It...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abnormal results may also be due to:Brain injury Brain malformation Brain tumor Central pontine myelinolysis Central pontine myelinolysisOsmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) leads to brain cell dysfunction. It is caused by the destruction of the layer (myelin sheath) covering nerve ce...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Neurologic diseases Speech disorders Risks There are no risks associated with this test. There may be slight risks from having sedation depending on your age, medical conditions, and type of sedation medicine uses. Your provider will talk to you about any risk you may have.Open ReferencesReferencesHahn CD, Emerson RG. Electroencephalography and evoked potentials. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 35.Kileny PR, Zwolan TA, Slager HK. Diagnostic audiology and electrophysiologic assessment of hearing. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 134.Wackym PA. Neurotology. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 16.AllVideoImagesTogBrain - illustration The major areas of the brain have one or more specific functions.BrainillustrationBrain wave monitor - illustration The brainstem auditory evoked response test (BAER), is performed to help diagnose nervous-system abnormalities, hearing losses (especially in low-birth weight newborns), and to assess neurologic functions. The test focuses on changes and responses in brain waves. The brain waves are stimulated by a clicking sound to evaluate the central auditory pathways of the brainstem. Brain wave monitorillustrationBrain - illustration The major areas of the brain have one or more specific functions.BrainillustrationBrain wave monitor - illustration The brainstem auditory evoked response test (BAER), is performed to help diagnose nervous-system abnormalities, hearing losses (especially in low-birth weight newborns), and to assess neurologic functions. The test focuses on changes and responses in brain waves. The brain waves are stimulated by a clicking sound to evaluate the central auditory pathways of the brainstem. Brain wave monitorillustration Tests for BAER - brainstem auditory evoked response BAER - brainstem auditory evoked responseRelated Information Hearing loss(Symptoms)Multiple sclerosis(Condition)Stroke(Condition)Acoustic neuroma(Condition)Osmotic demyelination syndrome(Condition)Multiple sclerosis - InDepth(In-Depth)Stroke - InDepth(In-Depth)Brain tumors - primary - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 5/30/2022 Reviewed By: Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 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BAER - brainstem auditory evoked responseEvoked auditory potentials; Brainstem auditory evoked potentials; Evoked response audiometry; Auditory brainstem response; ABR; BAEPBrainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) is a test to measure the brain wave activity that occurs in response to clicks or certain tones. How the Test is Performed You lie on a reclining chair or bed and remain still. Electrodes are placed on your scalp and on each earlobe. A brief click or tone will be transmitted through earphones you are wearing during the test. The electrodes pick up the brain's responses to these sounds and record them. You do not need to be awake for this test. How to Prepare for the Test You may be asked to wash your hair the night before the test.Young children often need medicine to help them relax (sedation) so they can stay still during the procedure. Why the Test is Performed The test is done to:Help diagnose nervous system problems and hearing loss (especially in newborns and children) Find out how well the nervous system works Check hearing ability in people who cannot do other hearing testsThis test may also be performed during surgery to decrease the risk for injury to the hearing nerve and brain. Normal Results Normal results vary. Results will depend on the person and the instruments used to perform the test. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal test results may be a sign of hearing loss, multiple sclerosis, acoustic neuroma, or stroke.Hearing lossHearing loss is being partly or totally unable to hear sound in one or both ears.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Acoustic neuromaAn acoustic neuroma is a slow-growing tumor of the nerve that connects the ear to the brain. This nerve is called the vestibular cochlear nerve. It...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abnormal results may also be due to:Brain injury Brain malformation Brain tumor Central pontine myelinolysis Central pontine myelinolysisOsmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) leads to brain cell dysfunction. It is caused by the destruction of the layer (myelin sheath) covering nerve ce...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Neurologic diseases Speech disorders Risks There are no risks associated with this test. There may be slight risks from having sedation depending on your age, medical conditions, and type of sedation medicine uses. Your provider will talk to you about any risk you may have.Open ReferencesReferencesHahn CD, Emerson RG. Electroencephalography and evoked potentials. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 35.Kileny PR, Zwolan TA, Slager HK. Diagnostic audiology and electrophysiologic assessment of hearing. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 134.Wackym PA. Neurotology. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 16.