Chesnut Animal Clinic is proud to provide BAER Auditory Testing to state of Arkansas!
What Is BAER Testing?
The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) test utilizes specialized equipment to provide a non invasive method of tracking an auditory stimulus from the ear's anatomy to the brainstem. BAER testing is often used in dogs and cats to determine deafness when behavioral testing is insufficient.
BAER testing involves using external electrodes similar to an EKG, along with an ear piece and the testing module to measure electrical activity along the auditory structures and nerves into the brainstem.
What type of results can BAER Testing Provide?
BAER testing provides the veterinarian with information for each ear to determine a patient's physical ability to hear. The BAER test generates a waveform graph which the veterinarian will be able to interpret and explain to the client. After testing, we will provide the client with a printed copy of each patient's results for each ear.
Please note: While BAER testing is able to provide some limited insight into auditory function of the patient, the results generated from the test are only able to provide evidence of the presence or absence of physical hearing ability. BAER testing is not able to provide sufficient information for a diagnosis.
Additional FAQs
Q: "How old does the animal have to be to be BAER tested?"
A: There is no absolute minimum age for testing, however, experience has taught us that four (4) weeks is the minimum for most dog breeds with six (6) weeks being preferred. For cat patients, it is recommended to wait till around 6 months given the size of the ear piece.
Q: "Does the testing hurt the patient?"
A: It is extremely rare for a patient to show any evidence of a pain response when placing the electrodes. Most patients tolerate BAER testing very well, with the primary issue with most patients being the requirement to hold still for 3 - 5 minutes. Any patient that shows signs of pain or unwillingness to cooperate with testing can be sedated with reversible sedatives if necessary. Additional charges will apply.
Q: "What happens if my pet fails?"
A: Assuming the patient has been still and compliant for the testing, any failure or indeterminate result will trigger an automatic re test. A patient has not been determined to fail the BAER testing until we have obtained 3 seperate failed tests.
Q: "Do you sedate patients to test?"
A: Our default testing procedures do not include sedation. However, a patient must be relatively still and compliant during the tests to provide a usable result. Sedation may be required for some patients, but we prefer to avoid sedation for testing if possible. Sedation does not affect results as long as body temperature is properly maintained. Unless circumstances require different, reversible sedation drugs are used to allow patient to discharge upon completion of the tests.
Scheduling
In order to ensure proper staffing, we do require advanced scheduling for BAER testing. Estimate pricing can be provided while scheduling. Call us at (501) 327-4413 to schedule BAER testing for your pets.