• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.123-129
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• 2020

We aimed to investigate the differences in the efficacy of insert and circumaural earphones when performing the brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) test with dogs. Hearing loss may occur congenitally or secondarily in dogs. The BAER test, unlike the classical ethological method, is the most reliable diagnostic tool to assess canine auditory function. Furthermore, there are certain advantages of using insert earphones rather than the standard, circumaural earphones. We subjected eight dogs to the BAER test with insert earphones and circumaural earphones. The result revealed that the latency of waves was delayed with an insert earphone. The inter-peak latency did not show any significant differences between the two transducers, and the threshold was higher when using an insert earphone. Moreover, the circumaural headphones produced a greater degree of crossover effect than the insert earphones, and this cross-over effect could affect the outcomes of the BAER test. Considering these results, we concluded that insert earphones may be more appropriate when performing the canine BAER test.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.414-422
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• 2023

Hearing assessment is critical in dogs and cats. Hearing loss in dogs and cats may be congenital or secondary to a central nervous system disorder or ear disease. The brainstem auditory-evoked response (BAER) test has been developed as an electrophysiological test for auditory function assessment. Modern BAER equipment is based on a computerized system. Thus, auditory function assessment can be performed using this objective, safe, and noninvasive method. No study has yet investigated the interspecies differences between BAER test results of dogs and cats. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the differences in BAER test results between dogs and cats. The test was conducted on four healthy adult dogs and four healthy adult cats. Regarding latency, lower values were obtained for all waveforms above 50 dB in cats compared to dogs. Regarding amplitude, cats showed higher values than dogs at intensities above 50 dB. Through a comparative analysis in this study, it was concluded that the two species had statistically significant differences. The BAER data of dogs cannot be applied to cats, and vice versa.