Electroencephalic Response Audiometry, also known as ERA or ERA Audiometry, is a diagnostic test used to evaluate the function of the auditory system, particularly the hearing pathways from the ear to the brainstem. It is a specialized technique that measures the electrical activity generated by the brain in response to auditory stimuli.
During an ERA test, small electrodes are placed on the scalp and earlobes to record the electrical signals produced by the brain in response to sound. The patient is presented with a series of clicking sounds or tone bursts, and the electrodes pick up the brain's response to these stimuli. These electrical signals are then amplified, filtered, and recorded for further analysis.
The main objective of ERA is to assess the integrity and functionality of the auditory pathways, especially in infants and young children who may not be able to participate in traditional behavioral hearing tests. It can help diagnose and evaluate conditions such as hearing loss, auditory nerve disorders, brainstem abnormalities, and other auditory processing disorders.
ERA audiometry provides valuable information about the patient's hearing sensitivity, hearing thresholds, and latency of brain responses to sounds. It can also identify the type and location of any potential auditory pathology. The results obtained from ERA audiometry are compared to normative data to determine the presence and severity of any hearing impairment or neurological dysfunction.
Overall, Electroencephalic Response Audiometry is a non-invasive and objective method used to assess auditory function by measuring the brain's electrical activity in response to sound stimuli.
