Auditory Evoked Potentials (AEPs) are also referred to as Brainstem Auditory Evoked Responses (BAERS) and Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEPs). Unlike visual evoked potentials, AERs are not altered by sleep, and if anything sleep may improve the quality of the recording.
Various types of sound may be used, but clicks are the most common for investigating diseases of the nervous system. A delay in the conduction of signals through nerve pathways in the brainstem may occur in multiple sclerosis and this can often be revealed by AER testing.
It is also used to investigate a variety of other disorders affecting the brainstem and adjacent areas. As well as diseases of the nervous system, AERs can also be used to test hearing. In particular, AER testing is used in many hospitals in the assessment of hearing in premature or other sick newborn babies who may be at risk of hearing loss.