BERA Test stands for Brain Evoked Response Auditory. BERA test is a hearing examination for children aged 1-3 years. It is done to determine any hearing problems such as hearing loss in children. It is pretty difficult to detect hearing loss in children from the beginning. Hearing loss can also cause speech, language, cognitive, social and emotional problems, making it essential for the test to be performed. The test is performed by professionals at the BERA test centre in south Delhi.
Why is the BERA test done?
Hearing loss in children can cause serious problems if not treated and detected the earliest. So the BERA test near me is done;
- To detect the presence of any hearing problem.
- If there is asymmetric hearing impairment
- Family history of congenital hearing loss
- Hyperbilirubinemia or high bilirubin levels
- Deformities of the head and face
- Head Injury
The procedure for the BERA test
During the procedure of the BERA test, the patient needs to lie down in a chair comfortably. The patient needs to be relaxed and calm during the procedure. For infants, the test is usually performed in their sleep. Electrodes will be placed on the patient's head and behind the ear. Stimulus is given in the form of a click sound via an earphone or headphones. The stimulus is of varying loudness and the frequency range from 1000 to 4000 Hz. This examination measures changes in brain electrical activity (EEG) in the condition of auditory stimuli. Any oddities during the transmission of signals when the sound is heard demonstrate hearing loss.
The signals or the auditory evoked potential signals produced by the brainstem are recorded as waves. These waves from the brainstem are from waves I to VII
Cochlear nerves – Wave I and Wave II
The cochlear nucleus (Brainstem) – Wave III
Superior olivary complex – Wave IV
Lateral lemniscus – Wave V
Midbrain – Waves VI and VII
Uses of the BERA test
Brainstem evoked response auditory test is used for;
- Used to detect hearing loss
- Selecting the right hearing aid for infants
- Development and surgical fitting of cochlear implants.
- Evaluation of hearing loss due to retro-cochlear pathology
- Helpful in diagnoses of suspected disorders such as multiple sclerosis
- Monitoring of central and peripheral nervous system during surgical procedures.
- Hearing loss screening for newborns and infants.
What is measured in the BERA test?
During the Brain evoked response auditory test, the following parameters are measured;
- The amplitude of the wave
- Latency – speed of transmission
- The time interval between primes-the positive potential recorded
- The difference in wave V latency(Lateral lemniscus) of one ear compared to the other.
Cost of BERA test
BERA test cost in Delhi is probably approx to 1,000 to 2,000. Although the test cost may vary from the pathology centre to the centre.
To conclude, due to lack of awareness, hearing loss or hearing impairment gets detected late which only contributes to the seriousness of the problem. Thus do not delay if you are suspecting any hearing problems with your children or even with adults.
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