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.

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.

Babies between the age of six months and two years usually use two tests. The first one is known as visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA). The child is taught to focus on a source of a produced sound. The child enjoys the test since it is formulated like a game that has a reward system in form of visible objects such as toys in motion or flashlights. Once the child makes the correct response, they are rewarded.

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.

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.




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