BERA Test in Mumbai: Cost, Procedure & What to Expect
by Crystal Hearing Solutions
If your doctor has recommended a BERA test—often after a newborn hearing screening, or for unexplained hearing problems—it’s natural to feel anxious about what it involves. The good news: a BERA test is completely painless, non-invasive, and one of the most reliable hearing tests in audiology.
What is a BERA test? BERA (Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry) is an objective hearing test that measures how your hearing nerve and brainstem respond to sound. Because it doesn’t require the person to press a button or respond in any way, it’s the gold standard for testing newborns, young children, and anyone who can’t take a standard hearing test.
Here is everything you need to know about the BERA test—what it measures, who needs it, how it’s done, what it costs in Mumbai, and how it differs from ABR and OAE tests.
Quick Answer: What Is a BERA Test?
BERA stands for Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry. It’s a painless test where soft electrodes placed on the head record the brain’s electrical response to clicking sounds played through earphones. It objectively measures hearing without needing any response from the patient, which is why it’s used for newborns, babies and young children. The test usually takes 30–45 minutes for adults and a little longer for sleeping infants. BERA and ABR are two names for the same test.
BERA Full Form & What It Actually Measures
The full form of BERA is Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry. When sound enters the ear, it travels up the hearing (auditory) nerve to the brainstem as electrical signals. BERA records these signals as a series of waves. By studying the timing and size of these waves, an audiologist can tell:
- Whether the hearing pathway is responding to sound
- The softest level (threshold) at which a response appears—i.e., the degree of hearing loss
- Whether the issue lies in the hearing nerve or brainstem pathway
Who Needs a BERA Test?
- Newborns & infants who got a “refer” result on their initial OAE newborn hearing screening, or who have risk factors for hearing loss.
- Young children with delayed speech or who are too young for a standard hearing test.
- Adults with unexplained or one-sided (asymmetric) hearing loss, where the cause needs to be pinpointed.
- Anyone where a nerve or brainstem problem is suspected (for example, ringing in one ear with hearing loss).
- Medico-legal or fitness assessments that require an objective, reliable hearing measurement.
How Is a BERA Test Done? (Step by Step)
- Preparation: The skin on the forehead and behind the ears is gently cleaned, and a few small, soft sensor pads (electrodes) are placed. These only record signals—nothing is sent into the body.
- Earphones: Soft insert earphones or headphones are placed, through which a series of gentle clicking sounds are played.
- Recording: You simply rest quietly (or sleep). The machine records how the hearing nerve and brainstem respond to the sounds.
- Analysis: The audiologist studies the wave patterns to determine hearing thresholds and the health of the hearing pathway.
There are no needles, no pain, and nothing uncomfortable—the most important thing is simply staying still and relaxed (or asleep) so the recording is clean.
BERA Test for Babies: Sleep & Sedation
For a clear recording, the baby needs to be still and asleep. For newborns and small infants, this is usually done during natural sleep—we ask you to feed the baby and time the appointment around their nap. For slightly older or restless children, a doctor may recommend mild sedation so they sleep through the test. Our team will guide you on exactly how to prepare your child so the visit is smooth and stress-free.
How Long It Takes & BERA Test Cost in Mumbai
A BERA test typically takes 30–45 minutes for adults and up to 1.5–2 hours for sleeping infants (including settling time). The cost depends on whether one or both ears are tested, whether sedation is required, and the type of assessment (screening vs. detailed threshold testing).
BERA test cost in Mumbai: at Crystal Hearing Solutions, we keep BERA testing genuinely affordable, with clear, upfront pricing and no hidden charges. Because the right test depends on your situation—one ear or both, and whether sedation is needed—the simplest way to get an accurate cost is to ask us directly. Call or WhatsApp us and our team will share a quote and help you book.
BERA vs ABR vs OAE: What’s the Difference?
These three names cause a lot of confusion. Here’s the simple version: BERA and ABR are the same test (Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry = Auditory Brainstem Response). OAE is a different, quicker screening test.
| Test | What it checks | Best for | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BERA / ABR | Hearing nerve & brainstem response; hearing thresholds | Newborns, children, unexplained/one-sided loss | Diagnostic |
| OAE | Function of the inner-ear (cochlea) hair cells | Quick newborn screening; first check | Screening |
| PTA | Hearing levels across pitches (needs responses) | Adults & older children who can respond | Behavioural |
In newborn screening, OAE is usually done first. If the baby gets a “refer” result, a BERA test (also called an ABR test) confirms the result. Learn more about the OAE newborn hearing screening, and for adults who can respond, the pure tone audiometry test.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. BERA is completely painless and non-invasive. The soft electrodes only sit on the skin to record signals—there are no needles and nothing is sent into the body. Most babies sleep right through it.
Yes. BERA (Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry) and ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response) are two names for the exact same test. Different doctors and labs simply use different terms.
Yes—a still, sleeping baby gives the cleanest, most accurate recording. For newborns this is usually managed with natural sleep after a feed. For some older infants, a doctor may advise mild sedation. We’ll tell you exactly how to prepare before your appointment.
The audiologist reads the wave patterns to estimate the softest sound the hearing pathway responds to in each ear. This shows whether hearing is within normal limits and, if not, the likely degree and type of hearing loss—guiding the next steps, whether that’s monitoring, hearing aids, or further evaluation.
BERA ek dard-rahit (painless) hearing test hai jisme sir par soft sensors lagakar dimaag aur hearing nerve ki awaaz ke prati pratikriya record ki jaati hai. Isme bachche ko kuch bhi bolna ya react nahi karna padta, isliye yeh navjat shishu (newborn) aur chhote bachchon ke liye sabse bharosemand test hai. (BERA is a painless test, ideal for newborns and young children.)
Book a BERA Test in Mumbai
Our RCI-certified audiologists perform gentle, accurate BERA testing for newborns, children and adults across our 10+ clinics in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane. If your child’s screening came back “refer”, or your doctor has advised a BERA, we’ll guide you through every step.
You can also read more on our BERA testing service page.