For the physician to do a hearing evaluation on your child, he will have to perform a complete physical examination and medical history. Besides this, there are other various types of hearing tests that can also be used to examine your child ability to hear. Some of these tests can be used on every age while others are only meant for the specific age of the child and his level of understanding. Below are some of the tests and how they are used on different ages of children.
A newborn can be evaluated used two types of tests. These tests can be used alone or together. The first test is auditory brainstem response abbreviated as ABR. This test uses wires which are joined to the scalp of the baby using an adhesive. The test is carried out when the baby is asleep to avoid distraction. Clicking sounds are applied through small earphones in the ear of the baby. The test usually measures the brain activity in response to the sounds produced. This test takes only a few minutes and it is painless.
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.
Similar test is carried out on an infants but they are examined using an additional test, which is known as behavioral audiometry. The behavior of child is put under keen observation, to see how they react after certain sounds that are made. The ear professional may decide to carry out more test if need arises.
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.
Another test used for hearing evaluation in older children is Pure Tone audiometry. In this test, an electric machine is used to produce sounds at varied pitches as well as volumes onto the ears of the child. The child is asked to respond with his hand when he hears the tone through the earphone.
A newborn can be evaluated used two types of tests. These tests can be used alone or together. The first test is auditory brainstem response abbreviated as ABR. This test uses wires which are joined to the scalp of the baby using an adhesive. The test is carried out when the baby is asleep to avoid distraction. Clicking sounds are applied through small earphones in the ear of the baby. The test usually measures the brain activity in response to the sounds produced. This test takes only a few minutes and it is painless.
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.
Similar test is carried out on an infants but they are examined using an additional test, which is known as behavioral audiometry. The behavior of child is put under keen observation, to see how they react after certain sounds that are made. The ear professional may decide to carry out more test if need arises.
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.
Another test used for hearing evaluation in older children is Pure Tone audiometry. In this test, an electric machine is used to produce sounds at varied pitches as well as volumes onto the ears of the child. The child is asked to respond with his hand when he hears the tone through the earphone.
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