Hearing tests for children from birth onwards

Otoacoustic Emissions

This test is most commonly use as a screening test. It is based on the principle that the ear will produce a faint sound (echo) when it hears.
A small probe, containing a speaker and a microphone, is placed into
your child's ear via a small earpiece. Quiet clicking sounds are played
and any echoes, which are produced, are measured. This can be a very quick test and the results are available immediately. This test is best
done while your child is settled. It can often be difficult to obtain results
if the test room is not quiet or if your child is restless. Click to see 
a short video clip of otoacoustic emissions, along with play audiometry and tympanometry.

Auditory Brainstem Response

This can be used as an automated screening test from birth. An insert will be placed in your baby's ear and three or four small sensors are placed on your baby's head to detect the brains response to sound stimuli. Better results are obtained if your baby is asleep.

This test can also be carried out by an experienced audiologist as a more accurate assessment of hearing function. The sensors will detect any information, which passes along the auditory nerve. This information is interpreted by the audiologists. Click here to see a video clip of newborn hearing screening.

Hearing tests from six months of age

As your child grows older, it is possible to obtain more information about their hearing. We may use toys to make it seem like a game.

Visually Reinforced Audiometry

This form of audiometry offers the child a visual reward when
they correctly turn in response to a frequency specific sound presented via a speaker, ear inserts or a bone conductor
(a small device that is placed on the child's head). As soon
as your child becomes old enough to sit and turn their head
in response to a sound, they can potentially be tested successfully and accurately. Click here to see a video clip
of visually reinforced audiometry.

Hearing tests for adults and children 2 years of age or older

Pure Tone Audiometry

This test requires your child to co-operate. Your child will be asked to respond when they hear a sound. These sounds are generated by an audiometer at a specific intensity and frequency and played to your child through headphones, ear inserts or a bone conductor. Your audiologist will record the quietest sound that your child can hear on an audiogram.

Depending on your child's level of understanding, play may be introduced by using pegs or bricks etc. Older children and adults will be asked to press a button. Click here to see a video clip of play audiometry, along with tympanometry and otoacoustic emissions.

Speech Audiometry

The audiologist will assess your child's ability to discriminate speech. Words are played to your child at specific measured intensities. A speaker is used to eliminate visual cues like lipreading.

Tympanometry

Tympanometry is a test used to detect disorders of the middle ear. Air pressure in the ear canal is used to test the condition and mobility (movement) of the tympanic membrane (ear drum). This is not a hearing test, but a test of middle ear function. A small insert is placed in the ear and a pump gently causes a pressure change in the ear canal. If the eardrum doesn't move freely in and out with the pressure change, then it tells us that there is likely to be fluid in the middle ear. This fluid may cause a temporary hearing loss. Click here to see a short video clip of tympanometry, along with play audiometry and otoacoustic emissions.