Sensory Evoked Potentials Studies
What is an evoked potentials study?
An evoked potentials study measures electrical activity in the brain in response to
stimulation of sight, sound, or touch. When the brain is stimulated by sight, sound,
or touch, signals travel along the nerves to the brain. There, electrodes detect the
signals and display them for your healthcare provider to interpret. Evoked potentials
studies involve 3 tests that measure response to visual, auditory, and electrical
Visual evoked response (VER) test. This test can diagnose problems with the optic nerves and other visual pathways in
the brain that affect sight. A healthcare provider places electrodes along your scalp.
They record the electrical signals as you watch a checkerboard pattern flash for several
minutes on a screen.
Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) test. This test can diagnose hearing ability and can point to possible brainstem tumors
or multiple sclerosis. A healthcare provider places electrodes on your scalp and earlobes
and delivers auditory stimuli, such as clicking noises and tones, to each ear.
Somatosensory evoked response (SSER) test. This test can detect problems with the spinal cord that cause numbness of the arms
and legs. For this test, a healthcare provider attaches electrodes to your wrist,
ankles, the back of your knee, neck, or other locations. He or she will apply a mild
electrical stimulus through the electrodes. Electrodes on your scalp then determine
the amount of time it takes for the current to travel along the nerves to the brain.
Why might I need an evoked potentials study?
Your healthcare provider may order these tests to assess hearing or sight, especially
in infants and children. They are also done to diagnose disorders of the optic nerve,
and to detect tumors or other problems affecting the brain and spinal cord. They are
also used to assess brain function during a coma. They may also be used to monitor
nerve function during some surgeries.
These tests usually do not lead to a specific diagnosis about what is causing the
abnormality. But the evoked potentials test can sometimes confirm a diagnosis of multiple
There may be other reasons for your healthcare provider to recommend an evoked potentials
What are the risks of an evoked potentials study?
Evoked potentials studies are considered safe procedures. The tests can cause a little
discomfort. There may be risks depending on your specific medical condition. Talk
about any concerns with your healthcare provider before the procedure.
Certain factors or conditions may interfere with the results of the test. These include:
Presence of earwax or inflammation of the middle ear
Severe hearing impairment
Muscle spasms in the head or neck
Any implantable devices, such as a spinal cord stimulator, pacemaker, or cardiac defibrillator.
Tell the technician if you have one of these devices as the tests may need to be changed.
How do I get ready for an evoked potentials study?
Ask your healthcare provider to tell you what you should do before your test. Below
is a list of common steps that you may be asked to do, if you are getting the test
done as an outpatient procedure:
You will sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the test. Read the form
carefully and ask questions if something is unclear.
You don't need to fast for this test. You will not receive sedation.
Tell your healthcare provider of all medicines (prescribed and over-the-counter) and
herbal supplements that you are taking.
Wash your hair the night before the test, but do not use conditioner or apply any
hairspray or other hair products.
Based on your medical condition, your healthcare provider may request other specific
Don't put lotions or cream on your skin if you are getting SSER done.
What happens during an evoked potentials study?
An evoked potentials test may be done on an outpatient basis or as part of your stay
in a hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your healthcare
provider's practices. Talk with your healthcare provider about what to expect during
your test. Evoked potentials can also be done in the operating room during certain
surgeries. If done during an operation, you will likely not be aware of the test being
Generally, the test follows this process:
You will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, hairpins, eyeglasses, hearing aids,
or other metal objects that may interfere with the procedure.
If you are asked to remove clothing, you will be given a gown to wear.
You will be asked to relax in a reclining chair or lie on a bed.
A healthcare provider will attach the electrodes with a paste. The electrodes will
be positioned depending on which type of evoked potentials test is being done.
The test will generally proceed as follows.
Visual evoked response:
You will be seated a few feet away from a screen.
A healthcare provider will place electrodes on your scalp over the areas of the brain
responsible for interpreting visual stimuli.
You will be asked to focus your gaze on the center of the screen.
You will then be asked to focus on a screen that displays a checkerboard pattern.
The squares of the checkerboard reverse color once or twice a second. You will usually
wear an eye patch to test one eye at a time.
Brainstem auditory evoked response:
You will sit in a soundproof room wearing earphones.
A healthcare provider will place electrodes on top of your head and on one earlobe
and then the other.
A clicking sound or another auditory stimulus will be delivered through the earphones
to the ear being tested while a "masking" noise will be sent to the other ear to shield
it from the stimulus.
Somatosensory evoked response:
A healthcare provider will place electrodes on the scalp and at one or more locations
on your body, such as the wrist, back of the knee, or the skin over your spine.
Small, painless electrical shocks will be sent through the electrodes placed on the
For each of the tests, the electrical activity detected by the electrodes on the scalp
will be fed into a recorder. The recorder amplifies the signal and charts it so that
your healthcare provider can interpret the results.
What happens after an evoked potentials study?
Once the test is complete, a healthcare provider will remove the electrodes and wash
off the electrode paste. In some cases, you may need to wash your hair again at home.
Your healthcare provider will inform you as to when to resume any medicines you may
have stopped taking before the test.
Your healthcare provider may give you other instructions after the procedure, depending
on your particular situation.
Before you agree to the test or the procedure make sure you know:
The name of the test or procedure
The reason you are having the test or procedure
What results to expect and what they mean
The risks and benefits of the test or procedure
What the possible side effects or complications are
When and where you are to have the test or procedure
Who will do the test or procedure and what that person’s qualifications are
What would happen if you did not have the test or procedure
Any alternative tests or procedures to think about
When and how you will get the results
Who to call after the test or procedure if you have questions or problems
How much you will have to pay for the test or procedure