What technique can help avoid crossover sound stimulation during BAER testing?

Applying contralateral masking noise is the preferred technique for avoiding crossover sound stimulation during Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) testing. Crossover sound occurs when auditory stimuli presented to one ear are heard by the opposite ear, which can lead to inaccurate or misleading results in assessing auditory function in the tested ear.

By introducing masking noise to the ear opposite the one being tested, any auditory signals that escape through the auditory pathway to the contralateral side can be masked. This approach helps ensure that only the intended ear's response to the auditory stimuli is captured, thus allowing for a clearer interpretation of the auditory pathway's integrity.

Other methods, while they have their own merits, do not effectively address the issue of crossover stimulation. For instance, utilizing a mastoid recording electrode may improve signal clarity or reduce artifacts, but it does not specifically prevent sound from reaching the contralateral ear. Repositioning the patient might help with comfort or specific measurements, but it does not inherently resolve the risk of crossover. Presenting bilateral clicks does not focus on one ear and can exacerbate the problem by providing stimulation to both ears simultaneously, which further complicates the assessment of each ear's response.

Therefore, contralateral masking noise is the most effective