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Hearing Tests

Your child's hearing is probably first checked at birth. Most hospitals encourage the practice of routinely testing a newborn's hearing to rule out any concerns of potential hearing loss. This, however, does not mean that you do not need to have their hearing checked again. Most doctors and pediatricians recommend that a child's hearing be tested every three to five years, more often if the parent's suspect a hearing problem.

Depending on the age of your child, different tests are done to check for potential hearing loss. For infants, there are two types of tests available.

The Brainstem Response (ABR) test is the test most often used by hospitals. This test is performed on an infant while he or she is asleep and requires no active response on the part of the infant.

The Behavioral Observation Assessment (BOA) can only be done by a highly trained audiologist. For this test, the technician must assess changes in the baby's activities, body movements, eye movements and sucking motions in order to make determinations about potential hearing loss.
Children between the ages of six months and two years have usually matured enough to respond purposefully to sound, meaning that they are able to turn toward a source of sound. For children of this age range the visual reinforcement audiometry test is used. This test requires that a child wear headphones or be placed in a sound booth. Each time the child turns correctly toward a sound source a lighted toy is offered as positive reinforcement.

For children of approximately 2 and one half to six years of age the conditioned play audiometry technique can be used to test their hearing. For this test, earphones are placed over the child's ears and the child is conditioned to play certain games each time they hear a tone.

The standard audiometry test is used in older children, and even in adults. For this test, the child is asked to wear headphones and they are instructed to press a button or raise their hand each time a tone is heard.

While many schools offer hearing tests each year to children enrolled in grades kindergarten through eighth, it is always a good idea to have your child's hearing tested by their pediatrician or a hearing specialist. This is true especially for children that score low on a school hearing test. In that case, the child definitely needs to be evaluated by a medical professional. Even if your child scores fine on the school hearing test, you may notice some behavior that causes you concern. In that case, it is important to follow any concerns with a visit to their doctor. The following is a list of signs to look for that may indicate that your child has a hearing problem.

• Your child seems to be ignoring you when you call out his or her name

• Your child consistently uses the excuse 'I didn't hear you' when you confront them for disobeying

• Your child does not jump or react to loud noises

• Your child asks you or others to repeat themselves often

• Your child is suddenly doing worse in school

• Your child's speech skills are not progressing as expected

• Your child mispronounces many commonly used words

If you notice any of these signs, it is best to note the sign and the environment in which it occurred prior to your child's appointment. This information can help your doctor in diagnosing your child.


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