ABR vs ASSR Hearing Tests: Key Differences, Benefits,

Is your child suffering from hearing problems? If yes, then he or she may need the ASSR or ABR hearing tests based on the severity of their hearing concern. So, today’s blog will chiefly focus on the following points while discussing about these two hearing exams:

What are ASSR and ABR Hearing Tests?

ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response): The ABR diagnostic test examines the electrical activity of the auditory nerve and its response to auditory stimuli. It identifies the integrity of the auditory pathways, especially for newborns and children.

ASSR (Auditory Steady-State Response): On the other hand, ASSR tests check the auditory system’s response to specific frequencies at a constant amplitude and frequency. This test assesses hearing sensitivity, particularly in patients unable to undergo traditional behavioural testing.

Key Differences Between ABR and ASSR Tests

Here are the most fundamental differences between ABR and ASSR hearing tests.

1. Stimulus Frequency: ABR uses a wide range of stimuli, while ASSR focuses on specific frequencies from 500 Hz to 4000 Hz.
2. Testing Methodology: ABR measures neural responses, while ASSR analyzes steady-state auditory stimuli.
3. Diagnostic Capabilities: ABR detects neuropathy and brainstem lesions, while ASSR provides precise frequency-specific information about hearing loss.
4. Testing Time: ABR, being a less time-consuming test, is mostly recommended for newborns and children, while ASSR may need more time for testing due to its complexity, though technology advancements have made it more convenient.

Key differences between the ABR and ASSR Hearing Tests

Below are the main differences between the ABR and ASSR Hearing Tests.

Note: The information above may vary according to your child’s hearing loss concern, age and severity of the hearing problem. Consult an audiologist at Hearing Plus today.

Benefits of ABR and ASSR Hearing Tests

ABR and ASSR hearing tests help diagnose hearing issues accurately. They are non-invasive, painless, and provide detailed insights into auditory nerve and brainstem responses, ensuring precise treatment plans for hearing loss or related conditions.

Benefits of ABR Hearing Test

Objective evaluation

• Progress monitoring
• Personalised intervention
• Comprehensive assessment
• Accurate testing
• Early hearing problem detection

Benefits of ASSR Hearing Test

• Manages sensorineural hearing loss in kids
• Supports hearing aid fittings
• Measures hearing thresholds in kids and uncooperative patients
•  Evaluates neural responses
• Can be used with other hearing tests and exams
• Can be used while the child is sleeping
• A viable option for infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

To make both the ABR and ASSR tests more advantageous for you, our audiologists are just a call away-8336001200.

How Are ABR and ASSR Tests Performed?

Audiologists perform the ABR and ASSR hearing tests by carefully placing electrodes on the ears and head and using earphones for playing sounds in them.

• ABR

In ABR, the audiologist will place tiny earphones inside the ears and delicate electrodes on the forehead. Then it uses short sounds at low repetition rates to check the hearing track up to the brainstem.

• ASSR

In ASSR, the audiologist keeps electrodes over the scalp, then using headphones to play high-pitched auditory sounds and offers frequency-specific information about hearing loss.

How do you choose the proper diagnostic test?

When selecting the appropriate hearing test, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. It depends on multiple factors, including the patient’s age, cognitive abilities and auditory concerns. Whether it’s ABR or ASSR, audiologists suggest parents get accurate diagnosis and treatment for their child after understanding everything about these tests.

Understanding everything about hearing tests, particularly the differences between ASSR and ABR, initially seems intimidating. With the guidance of expert audiologists from the best hearing aids clinic, Hearing Plus, parents can easily understand the fundamental contrast between these tests. This will eventually help them to make informed decisions about their child’s auditory health. Whether ABR’s wide-ranging stimulus frequencies or ASSR’s precise frequency-specific assessments, each test offers an accurate diagnosis. Remember, regardless of the path chosen, the goal remains the same: to optimize hearing health.

Conclusion

So, these were some of the notable differences between the ABR and ASSR hearing tests. Where the former aims to measure neural responses and consumes less time, the latter analyzes steady-state auditory stimuli and takes more time due to its technologically advanced features.

Both the tests are effective when it comes to detecting hearing loss issues in your child and recommending the right treatment option for them. Read today’s blog to get deeper insight into the ABR and ASSR hearing tests.