What is the most important step when setting up BAERs?

When setting up Brainstem Auditory Evoked Responses (BAERs), one of the most critical steps is placing foam inserts. These foam inserts serve an essential function by ensuring that the earphones or transducers properly seal in the ear canal. This seal is crucial for delivering accurate auditory stimuli and minimizing background noise, which can otherwise compromise the integrity of the data collected.

If the earphones are not sealed well, sound leakage occurs, leading to inconsistent and unreliable responses from the auditory pathway. Proper placement of foam inserts allows for optimal transmission of the auditory stimuli to the ears, ensuring that the responses being recorded are reflective of the auditory system's function rather than noise or artifacts.

While aspects such as adjusting sound intensity, connecting electrodes, and calibrating the machine are also important steps in the overall setup process, the placement of foam inserts is foundational in ensuring that the stimulus presentation is effective and that the results obtained are valid.