Various Forms Of Hearing Test Etobicoke

By Ines Flores


Babies that have just been born are screened for potential problems in hearing through the use of two quick tests that are painless. The first is the automated oto-acoustic emissions test, AOAE, which takes just some minutes and is able to be done when the baby is sleeping. There is placement of a small earpiece in the ears of the baby after which quiet sounds get played through it. This is one form of hearing test Etobicoke residents can consider.

If the ears are functioning properly in the AOAE test, there will be production of reflected sound in the cochlea. The sounds are transmitted to a computer for analysis. In the event that there is no clarity of the results, either the test is done again or a different one is used. The test may fail if the baby is not settled in their sleep or the background has some noise. Another reason for its failure could be temporary ear blockage.

Another test is the automated auditory brainstem test, abbreviated as AABR. In this, there is placement of three sensors that are small on the head and neck of the child. Quiet sounds get played through soft headphones placed on the ears. Sound analysis is done by special computers. These two tests will not work for older babies.

An example of a test for older children is the visual reinforcement audiometry, VRA. The child sits on the laps then sounds are played from speakers. If they move toward the sound, some toy is lit as a form of reward. Varying the pitch and loudness helps to know the least sound the child is able to hear at each pitch. For the separate testing of every ear, small earphones will be used. The test works for children of between 6 months and 3 years old.

During pure tone audiometry, an instrument known as an audiometer is used for generation of sounds at frequencies and volumes that are varying. The generated sounds are played via headphones as the child is told to show response whenever they hear a sound. For instance, they may be told to press a button. The sound level is reduced to know the least sound the child can hear.

The technique works for children of three years and above. It helps to screen hearing ability of a child before he or she starts school. When play audiometry is used, children will be asked to perform simple tasks whenever they hear sounds played from headphones. They could for instance be asked to move toys whenever they hear a sound.

Ability of a child to recognize words that are heard without seeing lip movements of the person can be assessed through the speech perception test. Words used can be played from headphones or said directly to the kid without showing movements of the lips. The kid identifies a word through picking matching pictures from a list.

The testing method will depend on age of the child. There are different tests for adults. Hearing tests are best done when children are young.




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