Hearing Tests for Infants and Children

Actually, I have experience with my daughter 5 year old with her
hearing. I'll update on her progress later ya….

Got this information from Patient Education.

Hearing Tests for Infants and Children
No child is too young to have his or her hearing tested. In fact, some
hearing tests can be done on newborns. These tests are important
because they help identify hearing problems early. The sooner a
hearing problem is found, the sooner managing hearing loss can begin.
This allows for the best possible outcome for the child. If you have
any concerns about your child's hearing, be sure to mention them to
your child's healthcare provider. He or she will refer you to an
audiologist (healthcare professional who specializes in hearing
problems). The audiologist will perform one or more hearing tests on
your child. Below are common hearing tests done on infants and
children.
Help prepare your child for a hearing test by placing headphones on
her ears. This helps your child get used to the way headphones feel.

Auditory Brainstem Response Audiometry (ABR)
Also called brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) or brainstem
auditory evoked potentials (BAEP).

What does the test measure?

Tests how the ear and brain respond to certain sounds. It helps
predict the child's ability to hear.

How is the test done?

A child may be sleeping or sedated.

Electrodes on sticky pads are placed in or behind the child's ears and
on the head. The electrodes record how the brain responds to different
sounds. These sounds travel through earphones or headphones, which are
placed inside or over the child's ears.

The test takes 30-60 minutes.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
What does the test measure?

Tests the function of the inner ear. Sound is sent into the ear canal
and the response of the inner ear is measured. The test helps
determine whether there is a problem and if further testing is needed.

How is the test done?

The child needs to be asleep or sitting quietly.

Sound is sent into the ear canal through a probe (small, thin medical
instrument with a rubber tip) that sends and records sound. The ear's
response to sound is measured.

OAE tests if the child's ear is working.

The test takes a few minutes.

Acoustic Immittance Testing
There are two kinds of acoustic immittance tests: tympanometry and
acoustic reflex testing.

What do the tests measure?

Tests how the middle ear responds to sound or pressure. The tests help
find problems with the middle ear that may cause trouble hearing.

How are the tests done?

A probe is put into the ear canal.

For tympanometry, the instrument gently pushes air in and pulls air
out of the ear canal. The changes in air pressure move the eardrum.
The movement of the eardrum is measured.

For acoustic reflex testing, sound is sent into the ear canal. The
reaction of the muscles in the middle ear to sound is measured.

The test takes a few minutes.

Behavioral Observation Audiometry
What does the test measure?

Tests the response to sounds. It helps the audiologist rule out major
hearing loss. The test can be done with children from birth to 4
months.

How is the test done?

A sound is made by talking or with a special noisemaker. The
audiologist evaluates the child's response to the sound. This may
include head turning, quieting, startling, or eye widening.

Visual Reinforcement Audiometry
What does the test measure?

Tests the response to sounds. It determines the softest sound your
child can hear. The test can be done with children ages 6 months to 3
years old.

How is the test done?

A sound is played for the child. Upon hearing the sound, the child is
taught to turn toward the source of the sound. Then a toy or video
screen lights up. The child's eye and head movements are evaluated.

Conditioned Play Audiometry
What does the test measure?

Tests the response to sounds. It determines the softest sound the
child can hear. The test can be done with children ages 2-4 years old
who can follow instructions.

How is the test done?

The child performs a task, such as throwing a ball into a bucket, each
time a sound is heard. The child's response to sounds is evaluated.

Conventional Screening Audiometry
What does the test measure?

Tests for hearing problems. The test can be done with children age 4
years or older.

How is the test done?

The child wears headphones and listens for different sounds. The child
then raises his or her hand when a sound is heard.

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lina

Posted by lina at 5:46 PM