ASSR Hearing Test
| Category |
Audiology Services |
ASSR stands for Auditory Steady-State Response, and the ASSR hearing test is a diagnostic evaluation used to assess hearing sensitivity, especially in individuals who may have difficulty undergoing traditional behavioral audiometric testing. It is often used in the assessment of hearing in infants and young children. The ASSR test measures the brain's response to auditory stimuli presented at a specific frequency, and it provides information about hearing thresholds across a range of frequencies.
Here is an overview of how the ASSR hearing test is typically conducted:
-
Preparation:
- The individual undergoing the test is usually lying down or in a relaxed position.
- Electrodes are applied to specific points on the scalp to measure the brain's electrical responses.
-
Stimulus Presentation:
- Auditory stimuli, typically modulated tones or clicks, are presented to the ears through earphones or insert earphones.
- The stimuli are presented at different frequencies and intensities.
-
Electrode Recording:
- Small surface electrodes placed on the scalp pick up the brain's electrical responses to the auditory stimuli.
- The electrodes are connected to a computer or recording equipment.
-
Recording and Analysis:
- The brain's responses are recorded over a period of time, and the responses at the modulation frequency (steady-state response) are analyzed.
- The test measures the brain's response to the modulated stimuli and calculates hearing thresholds at specific frequencies.
-
Multiple Frequencies:
- ASSR can be conducted at multiple frequencies, providing a comprehensive assessment of hearing sensitivity across the audiometric range.
-
Interpretation:
- The audiologist or healthcare professional interprets the results to determine the individual's hearing thresholds at different frequencies.
- The ASSR test is particularly useful in cases where traditional audiometry may be challenging, such as in infants or individuals with developmental or cognitive impairments.
