Hearing Testing


www.khaomaneecatclub.com

Odyssey ChaWee of Ayshazen

 

Hearing Testing

Occasionally white cats can be born deaf, in one or both ears. The incidence of deafness in Khao Manee seems anecdotally to be lower than in other breeds of white cats, possibly linked to the fact that white to white matings have been perfomed with this breed in Thailand for many centuries.

The Khao Manee Cat Club recommends that all cats used for breeding be tested. The current method of testing is the BAER test (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response).

WHAT IS A BAER TEST?

The BAER test is based on the electrical response of the brain to auditory stimuli. When a sound enters the ear, tiny electrical impulses are generated by components of the auditory pathway. The signals can be picked up by recording electrodes positioned on the head and are, in turn, passed into a computer. A series of clicks are passed into the ear through a headphone, producing a repeatable sequence of peaks and troughs which is displayed on a small TV screen. The test offers quick, noninvasive and accurate assessment of an individual’s hearing status. (Info from the Animal Health Trust)

WHERE IS MY NEAREST BAER TESTING CENTRE?

UK*

CHESHIRE Cranmore Veterinary Centre Tel: 0151 339 9141

DERBY www.scarsdalevets.com Tel : 01332 345 191

DORSET www.scvetspecialists.co.uk Tel : 01425 485615

KENT Church Farm hold clinics in Kent Tel: 0151-327-1885.

GLASGOW www.gla.ac.uk/faculties/vet/smallanimalhospital Tel: 0141 330 5848

HAMPSHIRE www.seadownvets.co.uk Tel: 02380 842237

MANCHESTER www.amcreferrals.com/2-5-electrophysiol.html Tel 161 881 3329

SUFFOLK www.aht.org.uk/ahtequine.html Tel : 01638 751000

*If you know of any other centres, or if any of this information is incorrect, please email the webmaster

 

 WORLDWIDE

www.lsu.edu/deafness/baersite.htm

 

OTHER HEARING TESTS

There is increasing interest in an alternative form of testing. OAE, or otoacoustic emission testing. The advantage of OAE is that the test is much quicker, cheaper and the cat is less likely to need sedation.

Further information here.

www.lsu.edu/deafness/deaf.htm

www.aip.org/dbis/ASA/stories/19052.html

deafness.about.com/cs/audiograms/a/abroae.htm