I just had my first ABR. In addition to the "click" ABR, I was given a CHIRP ABR as part of some type of trial for a new ABR method. I was asked to participate and since the CHIRP part of the test required absolutley zero in terms of effort or resources on my part, I agreed. The CHIRP info is a side issue to my main point, but I thought I would just point it out since it may be of some interest to the members. Apparently a manufacturer has developed a new version of the ABR and it is being tested to compare the results to the standard ABR. From what they told me, Duke is the only place doing this study and I am one of 25 participants. I can't give any more info in terms of technical details because I ignorant in that regard. Like I said, the CHIRP part of the test was no different in terms of what I had to do. I just laid there while various sounds buzzed in my ear plugs and I had a half dozen leads pasted to my head.
Anywhoo, back to the main point of my post. My hearing on my AN side is not bad. It fluctautes between "pretty darn good" and "could be better"
On one occasion, for about a week, it was just about useless, but it came back to pretty darn good. Today was my first ABR and the Doc said it was pretty bad. My acoustic nerve is just about useless and he figures that if I get surgery I have two chances of preserving my hearing, slim and none. I am not surprised at his prognosis of almost certain SSD, but I was surprised about the nerve being in such bad shape and my hearing working so well.
The Doc doesn't think my watch and wait strategy will hold up, although he thinks it's a good idea for now. He sees translab in my future in his crystal ball.
I didn't get the specific ABR info at the visit. His opinion of "bad" was good enough for the purposes of our discussion. I figure the report will show up on my online patient portal. When it does I'll post the info in it.
He also moved my 1 year follow up MRI from Dec 2015 (one year from my recent MRI) to July 2015 (one year from my first MRI).
