How are infants screened? What is ABR? What is OAE?
There are two methods that may be used to screen a newborn’s hearing: Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) and/or Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE). These tests can be performed while the baby is asleep or quiet and does not require the infant’s participation. Sounds (tones or clicks) are played through small earphones and responses to the sounds are automatically measured by electrodes or a probe microphone. Both tests are quick, painless, and non-invasive.
