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BAER Testing

BVNS performs BAER testing, which is used by many breeders and pet owners as a hearing test for dogs and cats. BAER stands for Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response, and is an electrodiagnostic test to determine if brainstem and hearing function is present in a patient.



Nuxhy, Sam, and Gracie (pictured above from left to right) are three of our patients who have undergone BAER testing. Depending on the temperament of the patient, this test can be performed with just mild sedation, though some rambunctious patients require a heavier sedation.

BAER Testing Description: Sounds (90 decibel clicks) are made with head phones in each ear (just like when a person gets their hearing tested) and a recording is made from the skin over the head to obtain the waveforms pictured in the diagram. The first 2 waveforms tell us how the ear and nerve are working and the rest tell us how well the brainstem is functioning. The picture on the left is an example of a normal BAER test (with the multiple waveforms) and the picture on the right is an example of an abnormal BAER test (no waveforms).