ASSR

ASSR (English: Auditory Steady State Response) – provides information on how much the patient’s perception thresholds for the main speech frequencies are impaired. During the study, constant modular tones are applied and the brain response to them is recorded.

Diagnostics is aimed at young children for whom audiometry is not possible. The technique is similar to how KSVP is made, but is slightly different. During the procedure, a small patient is given modulated tones of different frequencies, and then the brain’s reaction to them is recorded. This helps determine how perceptual thresholds vary with frequency.

INDICATIONS FOR ASSR

• children with suspected hearing loss (from 0 to 5 years);
• children belonging to the risk group for hearing defects (regardless of age);
• children suffering from neurological pathologies (regardless of age);
• children suffering from psychiatric disorders (regardless of age);
• children with delayed psycho-speech development (regardless of age);
• children who have not passed screening tests;
• children with no response during UAE;
• persons with brain injuries;
• monitoring of twilight states and neurosurgical interventions;
• preparing the patient for cochlear implantation.

CONTRAINDICATIONS TO ASSR

• sulfur plugs;
• history of epilepsy;
• presence of electrical pacemakers.

HOW IS ASSR DONE?

Before the examination, parents need to ensure that the child falls asleep comfortably in a new environment. As practice shows, if a child is properly prepared by his parents for the study, then 30 minutes is enough to fall asleep. Do not let your child fall asleep on the road; if the child slept for 10-15 minutes before the study, then it becomes difficult for him to fall asleep in a new environment.

If your child needs familiar objects (pillow, blanket, toy, etc.) to fall asleep, take them with you.

In our Center, the examination is carried out in a room specially equipped for diagnosing the state of hearing (audiometric), where there is a children’s medical couch covered with a disposable diaper. A child can sleep in the arms of his parents, on a couch, in a stroller, or in a car seat.

The examination is carried out only in a state of natural sleep (without anesthesia). Only mild sedatives are possible, which a neurologist can recommend to you.

A hearing test is carried out after examining the external auditory canal (otoscopy). If the presence of sulfur plugs is detected, further examination is impossible.

WHO CAN HAVE ASSR?

This diagnostic procedure is performed on children, including newborns.