The auditory brainstem response (ABR)

The auditory brainstem response (ABR) is a test that measures how the brain processes sound. During the test, small electrodes are placed on the scalp to detect electrical signals produced by the auditory nerve and brainstem when sounds are played through headphones. These signals are tiny but can be recorded and analyzed to assess the health of the hearing pathway from the ear to the brain. ABR is commonly used to check for hearing issues, especially in infants and difficult-to-test patients, helping clinicians diagnose hearing loss or neurological problems related to sound processing.