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There are many tests a doctor and/or an audiologist may do to diagnose your
child's hearing loss. The links will help you
learn about these. ABR • OAE • Audiogram • CT/MRI
General Information
ABR's (Auditory Brainstem Response)
This test will determine the brain's response to sound. Did the brain receive any sound? What was it's response?
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
This test will determine the cochlea's response to sound. Did the cochlea receive sound, and what was it's response?
Audiogram
An audiogram is done in a sound proof booth using different sound tones at various frequencies. It can be done with headphones, without, or with inserts, (small sponges connected to tubing
which puts sound directly into the ear canal). The child's response or lack of each tone and the loudness of each tone is recorded. These give the best information as to how a child is hearing, and in what frequencies the
hearing loss occurs. Accurate fitting of hearing aids requires good audiograms.
CT and or MRI Scans
Both of these scans can be helpful in determining the cause of a hearing loss. A CT (computed tomography) will show boney structures, such as the cochlea. This will tell the doctor
if the cochlea is malformed. A MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) will show the structure of soft tissue, such as the auditory nerves and other structures of hearing. When considering a cochlear implant one or both of these may be
ordered to assist the surgeon with the implantation.
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