Hearing tests for children | We have compiled a list of a few of the most commonly-used tests to assess young children.
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The hearing test helps to assess a number of different things, such as hearing ability and the ear itself. Please note that all of the methods are completely painless.
Hearing healthcare professionals will gather as much information as possible which may assist them in determining the cause of the hearing loss, its possible effects and complications, and the proper management and habilitation strategies. Questions that pertain to family, environment, illness, pregnancy, amongst others will be asked. Remember that any information you share will not only be kept confidential, but will also greatly assist the professional.
An otoscope is a light-emitting instrument that is designed to clearly visualise the ear canal and eardrum. This instrument can help reveal physical abnormalities which may contribute to hearing loss.
This test, which can detect hearing loss without the active participation of your child, is very rapid and in certain areas is often done in the neonatal unit of the hospital shortly after a child’s birth. This test measures activity generated by the small hair cells within the inner ear following stimulation by sound. The test is carried out on a calm or sleeping child.
Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) |
This test measures brain waves following stimulation by sound. This test is also performed without the active participation of your child. It takes somewhat longer than the otoacoustic emission test, but results from this test can often be useful when providing your child with a hearing aid. Since it is a longer test, you can prepare your child for this test by ensuring that his or her nap time will correspond with your appointment.
This test records the movement of the eardrum following a change of pressure inside the ear canal. Measures of eardrum mobility and middle ear pressure can be derived in order to assess the integrity of the middle ear. This test is quite helpful in determining the nature of your child's hearing loss and is the test of choice to diagnose middle ear infections. Immitance measures may also be used to record the acoustic reflex which occurs following the presentation of certain loud sounds. The reflex produces a tightening of the eardrum and is a natural protection against loud sounds. However, when the reflex cannot be triggered or is only triggered by extremely loud sounds, this may signal that certain hearing structures are affected. Imittance testing is very rapid and does not require the active participation of your child.
Audiometry (the common hearing test) |
Your child will need to be alert during these types of test since some co-operation and focus is required. Therefore make sure that your child is well-rested and prepared to interact and play with one or two friendly adults during the testing procedure.
The purpose of this type of audiometry is to determine the softest volume at which your child is able to hear a variety of brief sounds. These measurements will be useful during the hearing aid fitting process. During audiometry, sounds will be delivered either through a loudspeaker, headphones or small earphones that fit into the ear canal. Your child will then have the task of indicating when sounds are heard. In very young infants, the child will be led to believe that sound is coming from an animated toy that is placed to the side of the child. Once your child is convinced that sound is produced by the toy (which it is not, the sound is actually produced by an instrument operated by a clinician), the clinician will then produce a sound and wait for your child to turn towards the toy. In older children, the child is instructed to respond to a sound by completing a part of a game (ex: fit a piece on a puzzle). The child is instructed that only upon having heard a sound can he or she proceed by placing the next piece. The child is then left to automatically proceed and place each additional piece when a sound is heard. Once your child has reached a certain age, he or she can respond as an adult by pressing a button or saying "yes" each time a sound is heard.
Older children will be tested using speech audiometry. This task is similar to pure-tone audiometry, but the presented sounds are actual speech. The goal of speech audiometry is to determine the softest level at which your child can detect and recognise speech. A young child will therefore be expected to turn his or her head towards the animated toy in an identical way as described in the previous section. An older child will be expected to repeat words or to point to a picture (in a picture book) which illustrates the word. Also, speech produced at a conversational level will be presented in order to determine whether speech is properly understood by your child. Once again, the child needs to respond by repeating words or by pointing at a picture which illustrates the word.
