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ABR Instructions (Outpatient)

Next steps for your upcoming appointment

Photo of the front entrance of Huntsville Hospital Pediatric Therapy & Audiology

Location

Huntsville Hospital Pediatric Therapy & Audiology
107 Governors Drive SW, Unit 101
Huntsville, AL 35801
Driving directions

Please note: We share a building with North Alabama Specialty Hospital. However, our parking and entrance is accessed off Longwood Drive.

Patient Paperwork

If you are a new patient or have not completed a case history in the last six months, please complete this paperwork, print it and bring it with you to your appointment.

Patient Paperwork

The Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) evaluation is a painless test that allows an audiologist to measure your baby’s hearing sensitivity and it is the test recommended for babies who do not pass their newborn hearing screening or for whom there is a concern about hearing.

Preparation

Your baby must be asleep for the test. To accomplish this, we recommend that you try the following:

  • Wake your baby earlier than usual before leaving the house.
  • Keep your baby awake on the way to the clinic and in the waiting room prior to testing. Having a second adult who can sit in the backseat of the car with your baby to keep them awake during the ride may be helpful.
  • If your baby has a scheduled feeding, wait until you are brought into the room for testing to feed them. If your baby takes longer than 15 minutes to complete a feeding it may be recommended to begin their feeding while in the waiting room. We have a lactation room at the clinic for privacy if needed.
  • If your baby has a blanket, swaddle, or pillow that helps them fall asleep you are welcome to bring this to the appointment.
  • The testing can be done in someone’s arms or in their car seat depending on what your baby prefers for sleeping.

What to Expect

When it is time for your baby’s test, the audiologist will bring you and your baby to a quiet room where the testing will be performed. The skin on your baby’s forehead and behind each ear will be cleaned and small sticker sensors will be placed on those spots that get cleaned. At this time, lights will be dimmed and you will be given time to feed/soothe your baby so he/she can go to sleep. If you would like, you can hold your baby throughout the test procedure. The clinic also has sound machines if your baby needs white noise or music playing to fall asleep.

Once your baby is asleep, small foam earphones will be placed in the ears and the sensors will be attached to the audiologist’s computer. Sounds will be played through the earphones and the computer will record the hearing nerve’s response to the sounds in each ear. Any movement, such as sucking or eye blinking can interfere with the test. If your baby is not able to sleep, the test may need to be rescheduled.

When testing is completed, the audiologist will explain all of the results and provide you with any additional recommendations and resources.