ANA Discussion Forum

General Category => Hearing Issues => Topic started by: mcrue on January 10, 2016, 09:27:50 am

Title: ABR test
Post by: mcrue on January 10, 2016, 09:27:50 am

Why is my hearing so good (100 speech recognition with 70db reduced in high pitch zone) if my ABR test indicate the balance nerve is 97% shot?

Aren't the hearing and balance nerve the same nerve?

Title: Re: ABR test
Post by: arizonajack on January 10, 2016, 09:43:37 am

It starts as a combination nerve at the brain and divides into two nerves as it approaches the ear canal.

See diagram:

http://drugline.org/img/term/nerve-vestibulocochlear-10280_3.gif

Depending on the size and location of the AN it could damage either or both to varying degrees.

Title: Re: ABR test
Post by: mcrue on January 10, 2016, 10:46:12 am

Since I have very good hearing, but 97% loss of my balance nerve (according to my ABR test), does this indicate that I will have no "balance issues" if I opt for radiation or microsurgery?

Title: Re: ABR test
Post by: ANGuy on January 10, 2016, 12:08:09 pm

The Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test is for hearing.  It is used to help predict how likely you are to retain hearing following treatment.  It's tests the function of the auditory nerve.

The function of the balance nerve is tested through other means, like the ENG.

You probably had several different tests in the same day and may be confusing the various results.

But, in keeping with the cloud that surrounds all of this stuff, my ABR results were "bad" as characterized by my ENT, but my hearing is actually pretty good.