Tips before your child’s hearing test appointment

  • Parents should bring their child's health card to a hearing test as it provides essential medical information that can support referrals to specialists if needed. Additionally, the health card is required when applying for ADP (Assistive Devices Program) grants, which help cover a partial cost of hearing aids if they are needed. Having the health card ensures a smoother process for obtaining necessary treatments and financial assistance.

  • Before a hearing test, it's important to bring any relevant birth documents, such as those detailing your child's Apgar scores or complications during birth. This information can help the healthcare provider better understand your child’s medical history and identify any factors that might impact their hearing, such as premature birth or low birth weight. In cases where there may be concerns about hearing, having these documents on hand ensures the provider can offer the most accurate assessment and make informed decisions regarding further testing or treatments.

  • Before a hearing test, it's helpful to bring a list of any symptoms your child has been experiencing, such as difficulty responding to sounds, frequent ear infections, or issues with speech development. This information provides the healthcare provider with a clearer picture of your child's condition and helps guide the assessment. Noting symptoms you’ve observed can help identify patterns that may point to hearing issues, ensuring a more accurate diagnosis and appropriate next steps for treatment or referrals.

  • Before a hearing test, it's a good idea to prepare a list of questions you may have about your child's hearing and the testing process. This could include inquiries about the test procedure, potential outcomes, or what to expect if a hearing issue is identified. Having your questions written down ensures that you don’t forget any important concerns during the appointment and helps you better understand the next steps in your child's care, whether it's treatment, further testing, or referrals.

  • Bringing a treat for your child after a hearing test can be a great way to reward them for their cooperation and help them feel positive about the experience. Hearing tests can sometimes be challenging or stressful for young children, so a small treat can make the visit more enjoyable and create a positive association with the process. It also helps to reinforce good behavior, making future medical appointments easier for both the child and the parent.

What you will get from our pediatric hearing test

  • Before the test begins, the healthcare provider will ask questions about your child’s medical history, any symptoms you’ve noticed (like difficulty hearing or speaking), and their developmental milestones. This helps the provider understand the context of your child’s hearing health and can guide the testing process.

  • The hearing test will take place in a quiet, controlled environment designed to minimize distractions. The room is often child-friendly, with playful elements to make your child feel at ease. This setting ensures that your child is comfortable during the test, which is important for obtaining accurate results.

  • The audiologist will conduct a variety of non-invasive tests to assess your child’s hearing:

    • Pure-tone audiometry: Measures the ability to hear sounds at different frequencies.

    • Speech audiometry: Evaluates how well your child can hear and understand words.

    • Otoscopy: The provider will examine your child’s outer ear and ear canal to check for any obstructions, infections, or issues with the ear that could affect hearing.

    • Tympanometry: Measures the movement of the eardrum in response to pressure changes to assess the middle ear’s function. This helps detect issues such as fluid or pressure problems in the ear.

  • Throughout the test, the audiologist will observe your child’s reactions and behavior. This is especially important for younger children who may not be able to fully communicate their experiences. The audiologist will also look for signs of how your child responds to sounds, and this can help interpret test results more effectively.

  • After the test, the audiologist will discuss the results with you, explaining whether your child’s hearing is within normal range or if there are any concerns. If hearing issues are detected, they will suggest appropriate next steps, which may include follow-up testing, referrals to specialists, or the use of hearing aids or other assistive devices. The audiologist will ensure you understand all options and answer any questions you have about your child’s care.

How we hear sounds from our ears ?

Hearing loss

  • The process of hearing begins with sound waves entering the outer ear and traveling through the ear canal. These sound waves then reach the eardrum in the middle ear, causing it to vibrate.

  • The sound waves cause the eardrum to vibrate, and these vibrations are transferred to three tiny bones (ossicles) in the middle ear, which amplify the sound. The middle ear takes time to fully develop, including the maturation of the Eustachian tube, which helps regulate pressure in the middle ear. This is why young children are more at risk of ear infections than adults, as their Eustachian tubes are still developing and may not function as effectively.

  • The vibrations reach the cochlea in the inner ear, a spiral-shaped structure filled with fluid. Hair cells in the cochlea convert these vibrations into electrical signals that are sent to the brain, allowing the child to hear and process the sound. Interestingly, the inner ear is fully mature at birth.

Does my child need a hearing test?

Speech or Language Delays: Difficulty meeting speech or language milestones.

  1. Difficulty Responding to Sounds: Not reacting to loud noises or their name being called.

  2. Frequent Ear Infections: Recurrent ear infections or fluid buildup affecting hearing.

  3. Speech Clarity Issues: Unclear or hard-to-understand speech.

  4. Family History of Hearing Loss: Higher risk if hearing problems run in the family.

  5. Behavioral Signs: Trouble following directions or asking others to repeat themselves.

  6. Concerns About Hearing at Birth: Complications during birth or not passing newborn screenings.

  7. Developmental Delays: Communication issues in children with developmental delays or autism.

Early testing can help identify hearing issues and lead to timely interventions for better development.

FAQs

  • No, the test is completely pain-free and designed to be stress-free for your child.

  • The test usually lasts between 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the type of test and your child's cooperation.

  • At Earsonic, pediatric hearing tests are usually conducted starting at age 5, as children under 5 require specialized equipment and a larger testing booth, which we currently do not have.

  • If hearing loss is found, the provider will discuss next steps, such as further testing, referrals, or hearing aids, depending on the cause.