Infant and Adult Diagnostics

Audilogy

 

 

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)

This diagnostic test obtains auditory information without requiring the active participation of the patient. Very small sensors (electrodes) are put on the forehead and earlobes. Earphones (small foam plugs) are also placed just inside the ear canal to present loud and soft sounds. The equipment then records the brain and auditory nerve's response to the sound.

 

Diagnostic ABR - This test assesses the auditory system through to the brainstem to see if there are any problems along the 8th nerve.

  • Adults - You will be asked to relax and sleep, if possible, for approximately one hour. Certain medications such as sedatives, relaxants, barbiturates and anesthesia can influence the ABR. You will receive written instructions prior to the appointment regarding stopping non-life sustaining medications. Also, do not drink any caffeinated beverages (coffee or pop) after midnight prior to the day of testing however you may eat prior to the ABR testing.

 

Threshold ABR - This test can obtain hearing information at a variety of frequencies in each ear. Uses similar techniques as the diagnostic ABR but requires more time.

  • Adults - You will be asked to relax and sleep, if possible, for approximately one hour. See above for further details.

  • Child - To prepare your child to sleep when he/she arrives, following these instructions:

 

Please keep your child up late the night before and wake him/her up early on the day of the appointment. Please do not let your child take a nap on the day of the test (this includes keeping them awake during the car ride to the clinic).

 

Please make sure that your child is hungry and ready to eat when you arrive for the appointment. This can be done by suspending the last feeding until the test, by giving smaller portions if the child is fed, etc. We will ask you to feed him/her when we initiate testing. Be sure to bring a bottle or be prepared to nurse.

 

    Please bring a special blanket or toy that will make your child feel comfortable.

 

    Please expect this appointment to take up to 4 hours to complete.

 

Otoacoustic Emissions - A soft probe tip is placed into the ear and sounds are presented. "Echoes" produced by the hair cells in the inner ear will be recorded.

 

Auditory Processing Disorder

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is an impairment in the ability of the central auditory system to process and utilize auditory signals. APD is often confused with or complicated by the existence of other issues related to language and learning. Therefore, it is our policy that prior to an APD evaluation at the Central Michigan University Carls Center Clinic, other contributing factors are ruled out. These factors include hearing loss, language disorders, and attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities and cognitive disabilities. Ruling out these difficulties will better enable us to identify a weakness in auditory processing skills.

 

All APD evaluations at CMU include a hearing and evaluation. Due to the variability in children's development at ages and the lack of adequate testing tools for young children, APD evaluations will not be scheduled for children under 6 years of age. Due to the complexity of the tests and the length of time it takes for the test results to be administered, this type of appointment may need to be completed on two dates. In order to help us conduct your child's testing efficiently and give you appropriate recommendations, we ask that you bring the following information to the appointment if possible:

  • The results of your child's most recent hearing test, if he/she has had one.

  • A copy of your child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) if the child is receiving any special educational services.

  • A copy of the speech and language evaluation and/or therapy goals for this year if your child is receiving speech-language services.

 

(back to top)



Infant Diagnostic Links