Before Your ABR or ENG

What You Should Know Prior To Your Appointment

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) or Brainstem Auditory-Evoked Response (BAER)

For all ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response) Testing Appointments:

For Adults: A current audiogram needs to have been done within the last 3-6 months prior to the ABR appointment. For patient convenience, an audiogram can be scheduled just prior to an ABR test, on the same day. For an ABR appointment only, please allow 45 minutes. For an ABR & Audiogram appointment, please allow 60 minutes. The intake of caffeine or alcohol must be avoided for 24 hours prior to your test.

For Children: Children between the ages of 0-6 months can be tested without sedation. If your child is older, please schedule a sedated ABR. Please bring a blanket, bottle, pacifier, and extra diaper. Please have your infant fed and changed and try to keep the child awake during the ride to our office. It is also advised to schedule your infant’s test during his/her regular nap time. For a Pediatric ABR appointment, please allow 120-180 minutes

Electronystagmography (ENG)

Electronystagmography (ENG) is used to evaluate patients with dizziness, vertigo, or balance dysfunction. ENG includes the use of electro-oculography to record eye movements. The vestibular system monitors the position and movements of the head in order to stabilize retinal images. ENG provides an objective assessment of the oculomotor and vestibular systems. ENG consists of three parts: oculomotor evaluation, positioning/positional testing, and caloric stimulation of the vestibular system.

The subtests of an ENG evaluate the oculomotor and vestibular systems. Comparison of the results obtained assists in determining the source of your dizziness or unsteadiness. This includes assessing the system responsible for rapid eye movements and refixation, the presence, absence, and ability of fixation of spontaneous nystagmus, the ability of the oculomotor system to track a target within the visual field, the presence or absence of nystagmus associated with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), the presence or absence of nystagmus in various body positions, and if a site of lesion can be inferred from results of caloric irrigation.

The test requires about ninety (90) minutes to complete. Although some people experience some dizziness during the test, the dizziness is usually of short duration.

In order to achieve the best test results, you should carefully follow these instructions:

1. Clean face, no makeup.
2. Remove contact lenses before the examination (bring your eyeglasses).
3. No solid foods for 2 to 4 hours before the test.
4. No coffee, tea, or cola after midnight on the day of the test.
5. No alcoholic beverages/liquid medication containing alcohol 48 hours before the test.
6. Discontinue all medication for 48 hours prior to the test, except "maintenance" medications for your heart, blood pressure, diabetes, or seizures, and any medications deemed by your physician to be necessary. Please consult your physician with any questions.

The following medications should be discontinued 48 hours prior:

• Allergy pills
• Tranquilizers (Valium, Libruim, Xanax, etc.)
• Sedative pills (all sleeping pills or tranquilizers)
• Decongestants/Antihistamines (Benadryl, Sudafed, Dimetapp, Chlortrimeton, Seldane)
• Pain pills
• Diet pills
• Nerve/muscle relaxant pills (Robaxin, Valium)
• Dizziness pills (Antivert, Meclizine, Bonine, ear patches, etc.)
• Aspirin or aspirin substitutes (Tylenol, etc.)
• Narcotics/Barbiturates (Codeine, Demerol, Percodan, Phenobarbital, antidepressants)

Note: It is helpful if you bring a list of the medications you take regularly, or even the medications themselves. Medications can be resumed immediately following the ENG testing procedures. If there are any questions about the test or medication, please contact your doctor or our office at (949) 631-HEAR.

Your cooperation in following these instructions will improve the quality of your hearing evaluation. For more information on what to do before your procedure, contact Shohet Ear Associates located convenient to Orange County and Los Angeles, California.