Acoustic Evoked Brainstem Potential (AEBP), also known as Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), is a type of neurophysiological test that measures the electrical activity of the auditory system in response to sound stimuli.
The AEBP is usually conducted by placing small electrodes on the person's scalp, forehead, and behind the ears. A series of brief clicking sounds or tone bursts at specific frequencies are then presented to the individual through headphones. As the sounds reach the person's ears, they stimulate the auditory pathway, from the cochlea in the inner ear, through the brainstem, and up to the auditory cortex in the brain.
The electrodes detect and record the electrical signals produced by the neural activity along this pathway. These signals, called brainstem potentials or auditory evoked potentials, are then amplified, filtered, and displayed on a computer screen as a series of individual waves. These waves represent the synchronized activity of different parts of the auditory pathway, including the cochlea, eighth cranial nerve, brainstem nuclei, and subcortical structures.
The latency and amplitude of each wave can be measured, providing information about the integrity of the auditory system and identifying any abnormalities. AEBP testing is widely used in audiology and neurology to diagnose disorders related to hearing loss, auditory nerve damage, brainstem pathologies, and other conditions affecting the auditory pathway. It is particularly valuable in assessing the hearing function of infants and individuals who are unable to provide reliable behavioral responses.
