If you or your child has been asked to have a BERA test (also known as an ABR test), take heart: it is a safe, advanced diagnostic test that pinpoints how well sound signals travel from the ear to the brain.
At Centre for Hearing®, we offer BERA/ABR testing in our clinics across Delhi, Gurgaon, Dwarka, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Panchkula, Mohali, and several other North-Indian cities. Let’s go over this quick guide to what the BERA testing for children is and why it matters.
What is a BERA / ABR Test?
BERA stands for Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry, while ABR means Auditory Brainstem Response. Both terms describe the same assessment.
The test examines how sound signals travel through the auditory nerve to the brainstem. This helps with the following diagnosis:
- Hearing loss in babies and newborns
- Auditory neuropathy spectrum disease
- Neurological disorders that influence the hearing pathway
Who Should Get a BERA Test?
A BERA test is recommended for:
- Newborn Screening: If a baby fails the OAE test, the BERA test can pinpoint if the problem is deeper in the hearing pathway.
- Kids Who Don’t Respond to Sound: When babies or young kids don’t seem to hear claps, rattles, or being called their name, BERA gives a clear, objective read-out. Check out our blog post on hearing loss in children.
- Adults With Mystery Hearing Gaps: If you suddenly lose your hearing or can’t explain why, especially if you think you have nerve damage, you need the exact information that BERA gives.
- Anyone Who Can’t Give Reliable Behavioural Feedback: Some patients are too young, too sick, or just can’t press buttons and raise their hands when they need to. BERA can measure reactions without the people being tested having to do anything.
- Children on the Autism Spectrum or With Developmental Delays: Traditional hearing booths can be too much; a fast BERA session skips the stress and still gives you reliable findings.
- Suspected Neurological Issues: For adults where conditions such as multiple sclerosis or tumours might affect hearing pathways, BERA serves as a comprehensive, non-invasive check-up.
The test also proves particularly valuable when there’s a mismatch between observed behaviour and hearing test results. Sometimes, children appear to hear normally in daily life but struggle with speech development or academic performance. BERA can uncover subtle hearing issues that conventional tests might miss.
Why is the BERA Test Important?
- Early Detection: Identifies hearing loss early, ensuring timely hearing aids or cochlear implants.
- Accurate: Helps audiologists and ENT doctors diagnose the type and degree of hearing loss.
- Objective: Results do not depend on patient cooperation.
BERA Testing Process: An Overview
The BERA testing for children proceeds as a gentle, non-invasive procedure once your child is asleep.
- The audiologist begins by placing small electrodes on specific points of the head, typically the forehead and behind each ear. These electrodes are completely painless and simply rest on the skin’s surface.
- Soft earphones deliver carefully calibrated sounds while the electrodes monitor brain responses. The test progresses methodically through different sound intensities, starting louder and gradually becoming softer. Each ear is tested separately to provide a complete picture of hearing function.
- The entire process requires patience. Once the child falls asleep, testing typically takes one to two hours to complete thoroughly.
- However, the initial phase of helping your child fall asleep can extend this timeframe considerably.
- Some children settle quickly in the quiet, comfortable environment, whilst others may need additional time to reach the necessary sleep state.
Throughout testing, parents can usually remain nearby, providing comfort and reassurance. As pointed out, the procedure is entirely painless, and most children sleep peacefully throughout the assessment.
How Long Does the BERA (ABR) Test Take?
Usually, a session of BERA testing for children lasts for 45-90 minutes after the child has slept.
How Much Does BERA Testing Cost in India?
BERA testing in India at leading hearing care organisations such as Centre for Hearing® costs Rs. 5,000 across our specialised facilities in Chandigarh, Delhi, Gurgaon, and Dwarka.
This investment covers the sophisticated equipment, specialist expertise, and comprehensive analysis required for accurate results.
Consider the value this testing provides: definitive answers about your child’s hearing ability, precise information about any hearing loss present, and clear direction for the next steps in care.
Early identification of hearing issues can prevent developmental delays and ensure appropriate intervention begins promptly.
The cost also reflects the specialised nature of this assessment. BERA requires advanced equipment and specially trained audiologists who understand both the technical aspects of testing and the nuances of interpreting results across different age groups and conditions.
How to Prepare for a BERA Test
Here are some tips for you to prepare for the BERA testing for children:
- Appointment Timing: Book the test for your little one’s usual nap or bedtime. A natural, deep sleep lets the audiologist work quickly and keeps the readings spot-on.
- Baby Prep: Hungry babies fuss; full ones nod off. Feed your bub, wait for the eyelids to droop, and then make your way to the clinic.
- Sedation Plan: If your child still struggles to settle, the audiologist may suggest a mild, age-appropriate syrup. It’s safe and offered only after checking their medical history.
- Scalp Care: Give the hair a gentle shampoo that morning and skip any oils or lotions. Clean, dry scalps help the sensors stay put.
- Medical History: Share details about family hearing issues, birth notes, past ear infections, and any other relevant bits. The more they know, the better they can tailor the test.
- Previous Reports: Bring along any earlier hearing results. This saves time and gives the clinician a fuller picture.
- Time Commitment: Testing itself takes roughly an hour, yet coaxing a child to sleep can stretch the visit. Pack a little patience and treat it like a mini camp-out.
- Comfort Items: The room is kept cool to encourage sleep, so add a favourite blanket, soft toy, or dummy to your bag. Familiar comforts help them drift off faster.
- Self-Entertainment: An e-book, playlist, puzzle game, or snack stash will make the wait friendlier for you and any tag-along.
- Punctual Arrival: Show up right on time. The clinic schedule is tight to reduce waiting and keep the environment calm for every child, yours included.
Watch now to learn more:
What to Avoid on the Day of BERA Testing for Children?
- On the day of testing, avoid applying any oils, creams, or products to your child’s face, ears, or head. Clean skin ensures optimal electrode contact and signal quality.
- Skip feeding (breast milk, formula, or solids) for at least 2 hours before the appointment. A full stomach can cause discomfort.
- Also, do not offer them items like chocolate, sugary snacks, or soft drinks before the test.
- When it comes to dresses, avoid zippers or hoods that may get in the way of electrodes or disturb them while sleeping.
- Avoid screen time, loud toys, or outings just before the appointment.
The Sleep Strategy Before BERA Testing for Children
One of the most crucial aspects of BERA involves achieving natural sleep, particularly for children. The test requires a completely relaxed state to capture accurate responses, which means proper preparation becomes essential for success.
The night before your appointment, keep your child awake later than usual. Wake them earlier than normal the following morning.
This deliberate sleep deprivation might seem counterintuitive, but it ensures your child will be tired enough to sleep during the actual test.
Continue this pattern right up until your appointment time.
Parents often worry about disrupting their child’s routine, and these concerns are completely understandable. However, this temporary adjustment dramatically improves the likelihood of obtaining clear, reliable results in a single session.
The alternative might involve multiple appointments or unsuccessful testing attempts.
After BERA Testing for Children: Interpreting Results
BERA results appear as distinctive waveforms that trained audiologists analyse for both threshold information and pathway integrity. These patterns reveal not just the degree of hearing loss but often indicate the type and location of any problems identified.
Your audiologist will explain the findings in clear, understandable terms. Results might confirm normal hearing, identify specific degrees of hearing loss, or reveal more complex auditory processing issues.
Each scenario leads to different recommendations for follow-up care or intervention.
When hearing loss is identified, the conversation immediately turns to solutions. Centre for Hearing®’s comprehensive approach means that testing is just the beginning of your hearing healthcare journey, not the end.
Takeaway
Centre for Hearing® brings over four decades of experience to BERA testing for children, combined with state-of-the-art equipment and child-friendly environments designed specifically for successful testing.
Our team understands the unique challenges of paediatric audiology and the importance of family-centred care.
Our audiologists specialise in objective hearing assessment and interpretation, ensuring your results are both accurate and meaningful. The facilities in Chandigarh, Delhi, Gurgaon, and Dwarka are specifically equipped for BERA testing in India, with comfortable spaces designed to promote natural sleep.
Perhaps most importantly, the testing represents just one component of comprehensive hearing care. Should results indicate hearing loss, the same team can guide you through intervention options, from hearing aids to cochlear implants, ensuring continuity of care throughout your hearing healthcare journey.
For more information about BERA testing or to schedule your appointment, contact Centre for Hearing® at +91 9811 227 269.
You can also find your nearest facility here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are the BERA and ABR tests the same?
Yes, BERA (Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry) and ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response) are the same tests, just different names.
2. Is the BERA test painful?
No, the test is completely safe and painless.
3. What is the age limit for BERA test?
It can be done for newborns to adults. There is no upper age limit.
4. How accurate is the BERA test for hearing loss?
It is one of the most reliable tests for detecting hearing nerve function and degree of loss.
5. Where can I get a BERA test near me?
Centre for Hearing offers BERA tests across Delhi NCR, Chandigarh, Punjab, and nearby cities. Call 9811227269 to schedule an appointment.
6. What is the cost of BERA testing in India?
BERA testing in India costs between Rs 5,000 at our Centre for Hearing® clinics across Delhi NCR, Chandigarh, Punjab, and
