The BAER (Brain Auditory Evoked Response) test is a safe and painless testing device to determine if a dog has a hearing loss.  A BAER test is performed by placing a insert earphone into the ear canal, while recording needle electrodes are inserted in the skin at the base of each ear.  Each ear is tested individually.  A series of one thousand clicks are transmitted via the earphone to stimulate a response.  The response is detected by the needle electrodes, transmitted to the BAER device, where it is recorded.  The click series starts at 70 decibels and is gradually increased to 105 decibels (if hearing is not detected at the lower levels).
        By recording the response signals from the needle electrodes, the BAER device can then produce a graphic display of the dog's hearing responses.  A flat line depicts no response, therefore, no hearing.  A waveline of peaks and valley depicts responses and hearing sense in that ear.
        A dog that is labled unilateral has hearing in only one ear. Bilateral normal has hearing in both ears.

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