Information On Different 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.

To start with, there are two types of tests used on newborns babes. These tests are used alone or be combined. Auditory brainstem response is the first one and is abbreviated as ABR. In these tests, wires are joined to the baby scalp using an adhesive. This test is preferably done when the baby is at sleep to avoid distraction. This test is mean t for measuring the brain activity of the baby in response to a clicking sound delivered into the ears of the baby through small earphones. The good thing with this test is that it is painless, and it takes just few minutes to complete it.

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.

The other test used on toddlers is play audiometry. In this test, an electrical machine is used to relay sound at varied pitches and volumes into the ears of the child. This test can be modified to a game depending on the age group of the child. The child is requested to do something with a moving toy every time he hears the sound. In most cases, this test will rely on the cooperation of the child, which is not guaranteed.

A child who is older than 3 or 4 years can be evaluated using Tympanometry test which is also referred to as impendance audiometry. This test is used to determine how the middle ear of the child is working. It does not tell if the child has hear loss or not but it helps to detect any pressure change in the middle ear. The child is required to sit still and not cry, move or talk.

Pure Tone audiometry is a test used for hearing evaluation in children. An electric machine is used in this method to generate sounds with varied pitches and volumes. This sound is directed to the child ears through earphone and asked to react with his hand ear in response to what he hears.




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