An Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test tells us how the inner ear and the auditory pathway for hearing are working. The ABR can be used to determine the degree of hearing loss for babies and children who cannot complete traditional testing. It can also be used to determine certain causes of hearing loss in adults.

An ABR is completed by placing small electrodes on various parts of the head. Sound is then played into the ear and the brain’s response to that sound is recorded.