Types Of Hearing Evaluation Tests For Infants And Children

By Serena Price


A physician usually carries out a total physical tests, asks about the medical history of your child before he can continue with a hearing evaluation examination. The child ability to hear has several tests that can be conducted. The several tests vary depending on the childs age and also on their level of comprehension. The following pointers illustrate further on the tests carried out on your child on the basis the child age.

On a newly born, two types of examinations can be carried out. These examinations can be done either alone or both at the same time. ABR stands for Auditory brainstem response is the initial test. Wires that are glued to the baby scalp are used on this examination. When the baby is awake they may destruct the physician and prevent the test from being carried out well so the test is conducted when the baby is asleep. On the babies ear a set of earphones are placed and they make a clicking sound. The test seeks to find out the level of brain function ability in relation to the applied clicking sounds. The great news is that the child is not subjected to any form of pain.

The other method is known as evoked otoacoustic emissions. It is abbreviated as EOAE. In this method, plugs, which are small and flexible, are fitted in the baby ears. These plugs are meant for conveying sound to the baby. The microphones on these plug then records the otoacoustic responses of the ear in response to the sounds produced. This test is painless.

Infants are also evaluated using the same tests as the newborn and another test is also used which is referred to as behavioral audiometry. This test is based on observing the behavior of the child in response to certain sounds produced. The physician may also choose to do additional tests if need be.

Moving to toddler stage, two kinds of tests are used here too. To start with, there is visual reinforcement audiometry or VRA. This test involves a child being trained to look at a source of sound and their response is observed. If they respond as expected, then they are rewarded with visual objects like a moving toy flash light. This test is meant for children in the age bracket between 6 months to 2 years.

Toddlers utilize an extra test known as play audiometry. In this examination, electrical equipment is used to transfer varying volumes and pitches inside the toddlers ear. The fun in this test is that it can be in form of a game base on the age group of your child. The child is requested that every time they hear a sound they do an activity with a toy in motion.

For ages three and four the examination conducted on them is known as tympaomentry test also known as impendance audiometry. The test examines how the middle part of the year is functioning. It does not show hearing loss on the child but it detects changes in pressure. The child is expected to stay still without talking, moving, or crying.

An addition test subjected to hearing evaluation in much older children is known as tone audiometry. Electrical equipment is utilized; it produces sounds that have different volume and pitches inside the Childs ear. The child is asked by use their hand in making a response once they hear a sound through an earphone in the equipment.




About the Author: