BAER Testing for Deafness
Ron wrote: Val,
That is WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!! Would you tell us (in this thread or even better in a new post) what they do during the test? What is the procedure, how they can be sure, how long it takes, is it a specialized facility, the cost... To check Denver's hearing, I had to take him to a facility that does brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing. Luckily, it turns out that Chumley's neurologist Dr. Cuddon at Alameda East is someone who does this kind of test. I was able to update the team on Chum's progress while Denver was being tested. Here is more information on the test: http://www.lsu.edu/deafness/baerexpl.htm The non-technical description is that they put needles with electrodes in various places around his head and foam inserts in his ears. A computer generates a clicking sound and then measures the electrical response in his ear. They do one ear at a time and they generate white noise in the non-tested ear to ensure that the measurements are only for the one ear being tested. They gave me a printout of the wave forms. His left ear was flatline but his right ear showed a normal mountain range with peaks and valleys. It took about 10 minutes and the results are quite conclusive. I don't know what it costs because they are mailing the bill (minus a rescue discount) to NEOESR. Here is a list of BAER test sites: http://www.lsu.edu/deafness/baersite.htm |
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| Amazing!!!!! AND Wonderful!!!!!!
You have to be so very happy, excited, relieved, and all the other great emotions...... When Denver finds his forever home, he will live a happy, healthy, normal life....  |
| This is such wonderful news.
Some of our autistic children have to get a BAER test so we can find out if they can hear. For people, they are put under a general unless they are able to cooperate. |
| Kewl!
That is so good to know. Thanks for explaining it to us. |
| I know it'll vary by region, but what did it cost? |
| It makes me feel good that the info that Val provided with the link was written by Louisiana State University Vet School which is here in Baton Rouge. In the event anything catastrophic happens to one of our sheepies we go to the vet there at LSU. |
The nice thing is that this test can be performed at a young age. I had Mad's entire litter tested at 8 weeks (you can test even earlier than that, though). Eight puppies, I think it cost me about $40 per puppy, may have been a bit of a group discount  Because I think when I had Mad done (she was an adult), it may have cost me something like $75. I hope i'm not making that up. It's been a while. Chicago area.
You can also look for health clinics (go to www.offa.org and look for health clinic listings). That can be pretty hit or miss, though, and not necessarily available when you need them. If you do find one (we have one in the Racine, WI area every March, along with CERF (eyes)), you can expect to pay less. Vet did say he prefers testing OES puppies even over cooperative, but hairy, adults.  The nice thing about BAER is that either they hear, or they don't. Once tested, you don't need to keep testing them every year. Money well spent for peace of mind.
Kristine |
Mad Dog wrote: Vet did say he prefers testing OES puppies even over cooperative, but hairy, adults.
The nice thing about BAER is that either they hear, or they don't. Once tested, you don't need to keep testing them every year. Money well spent for peace of mind.Kristine My Vet was a bit worried that he would need to sedate Denver as he was much older than their usual testing patient but he settled down and kept still. Such a good boy! I agree about the value of certainty. The printout was so obvious and clear and the Vet said there was no reason to expect his good ear to go deaf. |
Just wondering how they know they got the electrode in the right spot? (I must confess I haven't read the links yet  ) |
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