Sedation Methods in Paediatric Auditory Electrophysiologic Testing: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Implementing neonatal hearing screening has significantly reduced the age at which hearing impairments are detected in children. Nevertheless, objective electrophysiological assessments, such as auditory brainstem response (ABR) or auditory steady-state response (ASSR) testing, are often necessary for children older than six months. These evaluations should be conducted while the child is asleep to obtain accurate and interpretable results, as movement and muscle activity can introduce artifacts that compromise the quality of the recordings. In this narrative review, we evaluate sedation strategies in paediatric procedures, focusing on the efficacy, safety, and practicality of agents/routes for inducing sleep during ABR/ASSR testing. Sedation choices should prioritise patient safety, clinical context, and result reliability and be tailored to the individual’s age, health status, and procedural needs.