The BERA exam, also known as BAEP or Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential, is an exam that assesses the entire auditory system, checking for the absence or presence of hearing loss, which may be due to a nocholecular injury, in the auditory nerve or in the trunk encephalic, which can compromise speech development, for example. Learn how to identify if your baby is not listening well.
Although it can be performed on adults, the BERA test is performed more frequently on children and babies, especially when there is a risk of hearing loss due to genetic conditions or when there is an altered result in the ear test, which is a test performed soon after birth and that evaluates the newborn's hearing capacity. Understand how the ear test is done and the results.
How is done
The test is done while the person is sleeping, as it is a very sensitive test and, therefore, any movement can interfere with the test result. This examination consists of placing electrodes behind the ear and on the forehead, in addition to a headset that is responsible for producing stimuli that will activate the brainstem and the auditory nerves, generating electricity peaks according to the intensity of the stimulus, which are captured by the electrode and interpreted by the speech therapist or otolaryngologist from the sound waves recorded by the equipment.
The test lasts between 30 and 40 minutes and can be done in both adults and children, being more frequent in children who are at risk of hearing loss, such as those who were born prematurely or with genetic diseases, such as Down's Syndrome, for example.
BERA does not require preparation and is a non-invasive procedure that does not cause pain, however it may be necessary for the child to be sedated, as any movement can interfere with the test result, as it is a very sensitive test.
When is indicated
The test is mainly indicated to assess the development and the auditory response of children, premature newborns, children with autism or with genetic alterations, such as Down syndrome.
In addition, the BERA exam is indicated to confirm the diagnosis of hearing loss in children and adults, to investigate the cause of tinnitus, to detect the presence of tumors involving the auditory nerves and to monitor hospitalized or comatose patients in order to assess the evolution of the patient and assist in the diagnosis of brain death.
