| All ABR tests take place at Kingston Hospital (Aspen Building). |
About an ABR test
ABR stands for auditory brainstem response. We give this test to babies who have not had a clear result on their newborn hearing screen test.
- An ABR test measures how your baby's hearing organ, hearing nerves and brainstem respond to sounds.
- The audiologist will interpret the results, to find the quietest level of sound being picked up by your baby's hearing nerves.
The test may take up to 2 hours.
Identifying hearing loss
Identifying hearing loss early gives babies a better chance of developing language, speech and communication skills. It also means we can give their families the support they need.
Why this is important
- 1 to 2 babies in every 1,000 are born with permanent hearing loss in one or both ears.
- 1 in 100 babies who have spent more than 48 hours in a neonatal intensive care unit are found to have hearing loss in one or both ears.
- 9 out of 10 babies with hearing loss are born to families with no history of deafness.
Why we ask you to attend
Audiology (hearing) assessments are time critical. We aim to follow this schedule:
- Complete a newborn hearing screen by the time your baby is 3 months (12 weeks) of age.
- Complete the ABR test within 4 weeks after the screen.
Preparing for your ABR appointment
The following will help you prepare for your appointment.
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For an accurate result, your baby must be sleeping throughout the test. This is because other brain or muscle activity will interfere with our ability to carry out the test. It would be helpful if you could keep your baby awake before the appointment. This will make it more likely that they will sleep through their ABR test. |
- Our clinic rooms can only accommodate a maximum of two parents or guardians, and your baby. Do not bring your baby's brothers or sisters to the appointment as they may disrupt the testing.
- You will be able to feed and change your baby and allow them to sleep. Bring changing and feeding items with you.
- Bring your baby in their car seat or pram.
- Bring your baby's personal child health record (red book).
More information
Contact information
Kingston Hospital Audiology Department,
Aspen Building, Galsworthy Road KT2 7QB