Hearing Tests for Children

Almost every child in the United States will undergo a hearing test right after birth to detect any congenital hearing impairments. To identify any hearing issues that may occur later on in life, it is recommended to have your child tested for hearing loss through several testing techniques. In the case of possible signs of aural impairment, treatment can be started as soon as it is diagnosed and the child is seen by an otologist (ENT physician). Furthermore, early detection leads to a more effective treatment and can greatly impact your child’s development.

Which test is the best for my child?

If you feel that your child shows symptoms of hearing loss, there are a variety of tests your pediatrician can recommend. The suitability of the test greatly depends on your child’s age among other factors that your doctor may consider.

Neonatal Hearing Tests (6 months and below)

There are two types of testing measures used for infants; each tests a different part of the auditory system and provide useful information about the presence of an abnormality in the hearing pathway. Both these tests are safe and painless.

1. Automated Otoacoustic Emissions (AOAE)

Otoacoustic emissions measure the responsiveness of the baby’s inner ear (the organ of hearing, or cochlea). Quiet clicking sounds are transmitted through a soft earpiece placed in your child’s ear. Any activity in the inner ear, which results in response, is picked up by a computer for analysis.

2. Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR)

Here, the responsiveness of the child’s brain and auditory nerves are measured through three small sensors placed on his/her head and neck. Once again, clicking sounds are played to stimulate activity, which is detected by a computer for analysis.

Visual reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) (7 months to 2.5 years)

With this test, the child is seated upright on a chair or on the parent’s lap, surrounded by visual reinforcers which are placed at 90-degree angles, usually on the wall of the sound booth. These reinforcers can be toys placed in boxes that are lit in synchrony with an audio stimulus to condition the child and elicit a response in the direction of the visual reinforcer. Tests are conducted for both ears to gather data about your child’s aural capacity. This test is also used to determine the minimum hearing threshold for your child.

Play Audiometry (2.5-5 years)

Sounds are played through headphones, and the child is asked to carry out a simple task, such as pointing at items in pictures or placing a toy in a bucket when they hear the sound. As in VRA, the volume in conditioned play audiometry is varied to gather data too.

Pure-Tone Audiometry (5 years and above)

This test is close to the hearing tests prescribed for adults. The technique is similar to what is used in VRA and play audiometry, where sounds varying in volume are played to determine the child’s hearing thresholds. In pure-tone audiometry, the child is asked to respond to the sound with the click of a button.

In case you have any concerns about your child’s hearing, please consult your doctor. Remember, early testing is the first step towards a successful treatment.