Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA), also known as Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing, is an objective, safe, and non-invasive hearing assessment used to evaluate how effectively sound signals travel from the ear through the auditory nerve and brainstem pathways. Unlike behavioral hearing tests, BERA does not require active participation or a conscious response from the patient, making it especially useful for newborns, infants, young children, individuals with developmental challenges, and patients who cannot reliably respond during conventional hearing assessments.

The test measures the electrical activity produced by the auditory system when it receives sound stimulation. When sounds enter the ear, they are converted into electrical signals that travel through the inner ear, auditory nerve, and brainstem before reaching the brain. BERA records these tiny electrical responses and analyzes the timing and strength of the signals to assess the functional status of the auditory pathway.

During a BERA test, small surface electrodes are gently placed on specific areas of the scalp, forehead, and behind the ears to detect brain responses. Sounds, usually in the form of clicks or tone bursts, are delivered through earphones or insert earphones. The electrodes capture the electrical activity generated in response to these sounds, and the recorded wave patterns are analyzed using specialized computerized equipment.