Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)

I'm curious if any of you have had your child or know of a child that has had this test done for hearing. I'm particularly interested in knowing if it was done while being put under general anesthesia or without it? My son has an ABR test scheduled for this coming Monday and I have a weird feeling...I don't know if I want him put under! I'm not sure if it's my gut feeling telling me that something is going to go wrong or if I'm just trying to protect him from going under! I know I might not get a resonse on this but thought I would ask!

[deanne11]

It's probably just your mother's fear.  Although you know your own child and your instinct.

My DD had to be put under for surgery.  She was burned and had to have her chest repaired....skin damage.

I was convinced she wouldn't wake up.  I was scared, crying, throwing up....all was fine.  I just never knew they'd have to put her under.  Of course the alternative method for burn recovery is much much worse, so all in all, I'm happy it happened the way it did.

[jenstam]

I feel the same way ): I'm afraid he won't wake up!! I know this is probably an irrational fear but can't seem to get past it and I have anxiety building up over Monday's appointment. I'm afraid he's going to be confused and nauseous when he wakes up and won't understand why! He has to be put under 3 times in the next 2-3 months. I know he has to be for his surgery but I am just trying to avoid it happening for this test. I feel so bad for him and all he has been through as it is already!

I'm sorry your daughter had burns...poor thing ):

[deanne11]

Trust me...I totally know how you feel.  
And for me it was just once.  I remember going in after the surgery.  They asked that I come in before she woke up.  That was nice.  They wanted us there because when a child comes to, they are confused and want their mommies....

Abby was hardly even wake...she started rolling around, she was almost 2 when this happened....calling Momma...Momma, and started crying once her eyes opened....not for pain but because she was so happy to see me.  Some tears are just tears of joy and relief.  I remember it like yesterday....now I'm crying.

It's so hard, but you know he has to do it right?  You have to be the strong one.

Yeah - my ever curious Abby pulled a cup of hot coffee on her from the counter.....I was horrified...I was right there...next to her.  And still couldn't stop it completely.

[lfb]

My 4-year-old has been put to sleep 3 times.  It is never easy.  I cried everytime.  He has had tubes in his ears, double hernia surgery and most recently a lot of dental work.  I felt so bad everytime, but kept reminding myself that it was what was best for him.  The first time I felt the same as you.  I just knew he wouldn't wake up.  He did wake fine, but he was very confused and didn't know what was happening to him.  That was the hardest part.  He was 13 months old.  However, he doesn't remember any of it, now.  Not even the dental work and it was only 6 months ago.  Just pray for him and be there when he wakes up.  He will be fine and you will feel better once it is over.  Good luck.

[jenstam]

Thank you so much. I guess it even helps just talking with moms who have seen their child put under. It's just such a scary thing...and I think that if something did happen and I didn't follow my gut feeling...I would never, ever be able to forgive that ): I know this is irrational...just having a hard time getting past it.

[have 2 kids]

My son had to be put under 4 times by the time is was 2.  It's scary but I think it's better than them being terrified of what is happening.   After the procedure you will be able to see him and comfort him if he is upset.   They wouldn't recommend putting him under if it wasn't for the best.  

[tiredbuthappy]

i have had the ABR test done, but dd was only one month old. They did not sedate her. They put us into a nice soundproof room with a comfy recliner. they let us feed her and rock her til she fell asleep. Prior to her falling asleep they put the probes on. As soon as her brain patterns indicated that she was indeed sleeping, they started the test. DH held her in the recliner, and i sat just outside and watched. they didn't even bother closing the door to the sound proof room.

In NJ, this test is done on all infants before they are released from the hospital. DD failed in one ear when she was a newborn, which is why we had to go back for a rescreen. They said it is common for preemies to fail at first, especially babies born via c-section because labor did not push the fluids out of her ears. She passed the second time around.

I asked what would happen if she woke during the test, or if they only got one ear done. they said that we would have to come back and try again. they never said anything about sedating her. maybe because Brody is older?

If you truly are worried, perhaps you could speak to them about trying to do the test during one of his naptimes. does he nap at the same time everyday? would he fall asleep nursing? The test did take long- maybe 40 minutes in total, since they can't do both ears at the same time.

[jenstam]

He had this test done in the NICU also, while asleep. It's a little bit different when they're newborns I guess. That is what the neurologist said. Besides, they sleep so well when they're that age! I talked with the doctor today and was told that we can always ask when we go to get the test done if they will let us try to do it while he is napping. He does take a nap around 10 am every day, but then again, not in his usual surroundings he will probably not want to nap! I am wondering if they can't give him some kind of sleepy medicine and then let me nurse him to sleep while they do the test. At this age though, they grab at everything. My guess is that it would probably just be too frustrating and we would end up having to put him under anyhow. It just freaks me out thinking of him being under! Hopefully I'll calm down once Monday comes. Thank you for responding!

[AndiJ78]

CJ was put under at 9 mos for the penny incident. I had to leave the room while they gave him the IV (my choice for that, the rest was standard), sedated him, and then during the scope. They let us come back in after they were done scoping and I can tell you nothing will prepare you for seeing your child knocked out. My heart was in my feet and in my throat all at once. He took a long time to wake from it and I was there holding my limp baby trying to get him to rouse. The nurse kept telling me to try harder, but time was the only thing that helped. Reality it was like 15 minutes before he started coming to, but it felt like hours. It was awful. I say this not to prevent you from doing it, but to prepare you for that feeling, if it is possible. Keep Ben by your side, were it not for John holding me while I held CJ, I would have been an even bigger wreck.

BUT, knowing what could have happened had he not had the scope made it worth while. The ends justified the means for sure and presented with the same scenario, i would do it again without a second thought. He will be okay and this is so important for his health and development. Soon enough they can figure out what is going on and how to best address it.

[deanne11]

I will back Andi 100% - nothing prepared me for what I saw when they brought me in to help wake Abby up...limp was the word.  It was gut wrenching.

If I didn't know any better, it was like seeing her 'gone'....One of the most traumatic things I ever went through.

But again, because of the seriousness of her burn her alternative treatment was much more prolonged and painful then the option we took.

[AndiJ78]

Exactly, Deanne. I wish I would have had a warning. I walked in to the room and saw him there and lost it, not a simple whimper, but sobbing. I was not prepared at all. Their color is so off it was terrifying. I could obviously see he was fine, the monitors were functioning and all was perfect there, but the visual was awful.

But it would have been a million times worse had that penny perf'd his esophagus.

[jenstam]

OMGoodness...gettin' all teary eyed thinking of it!! I'm not looking forward to it and I am grateful to get your experiences so I can better prepare myself to see him like that. Ben will be there and I'm sure I will sob, as you did. Think of us on Monday!!

[lynne1276]

Its only natural for you to worry.  I haven't been through anything like that yet.  I can't even stand watching Ayden get his shots.  Has he been under before?   I will be thinking of you guys on Monday

[Cheyenne_08]

Ashtyn was put under because he had his MRI done just before it. He came in and out of anesthesia really easily.....i was by his side the entire time except during the MRI itself, but during the BAER I was able to be right there. It was not that bad, it was just like he was sleeping.

[AndiJ78]

Oh and so I don't sound like a terrible mom, John was in there when they did the IV. I just couldn't do it. i believe admin timed their need for insurance stuff specifically to get me out of there. They already had it from the docs office, but it was a blessing to be out of there. I made it through three kids before we had to endure an IV and a general.

Chey-you are lucky he came out so quick. I come out frightfully early, so I expected the same with him.

[deanne11]

You will be in my prayers on Monday....the power of a praying woman is an amazing thing...You'll feel us all around you.

[energy_train]

Hi!  My little guy has been put under probably 15 times, if not more, and he just turned 3.  He's had MRI's, Catscans, ABR, surgeries, scopes, etc.  However, the ABR we did while he was sleeping. He was only about 5 months old and slept ALL of the time so we did it while he was sleeping and it worked but honestly, it's very safe, millions of kiddos are put under every day, and most of the time, they pop back before you are even home!!!  Best of luck!!

[jenstam]

Thank you all!! I'm feeling better...and I will definitely feel your prayers (: Chey, I had no idea when you were talking about the BAER a few months back that it was the same thing. They just use different sets of letters I think (: I will definitely have a hard time with this but I hope it gets easier by the time he has his surgery and then his MRI in a little less than 3 months! I was able to nurse him to sleep for the MRI, but he was only 4 months old. They put plugs in his ears and wrapped him in heated blankets. He woke up the first time and we tried again with luck. I was also able to sit by his side the whole time in the MRI. Something kinda funny though...I had zippers on my shoes and the magnet sucked my foot towards it. I could barely pull it back. I was about to panic but maintained my composure (: