Hearing Tests

In order to evaluate your child's hearing, your child's physician will perform a complete medical history and physical examination. In addition, hearing tests may be used. Hearing tests vary. Some may be used on children of all ages, while others are based on a child’s age and level of understanding.

Hearing tests for the newborn:
There are two primary types of hearing screening methods for newborns. They may be used alone or together:

  • evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAE)

    An EOAE test is painless and can be completed within a few minutes, even while the baby sleeps. During the test, a tiny flexible plug is inserted into the baby's ear. Sounds are sent through the plug. A microphone in the plug records the otoacoustic emissions (responses) of the normal ear in reaction to the sounds. A baby with hearing loss will have no emissions.

  • auditory brainstem response (ABR)

    An ABR test is painless and takes only a few minutes to complete. The test uses electrodes (wires) attached with adhesive to the baby's scalp. While the baby sleeps, clicking sounds are made through tiny earphones in the baby’s ears. The test measures the brain's activity in response to the sounds.

    If these screening tests identify that your child has a hearing loss, further testing will be needed. It is recommended that all babies with hearing loss be identified by three months of age so that treatment can begin before the baby is six months old, an important time for speech and language development.

    Hearing tests for the infant:
    To evaluate hearing in infants, evoked otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem response tests are used. A behavioral audiometry test may also be recommended. This test is used in infants to observe their behavior in response to certain sounds.

    Hearing tests for the toddler:
    To evaluate hearing in toddlers, evoked otoacoustic emissions, auditory brainstem response, and behavioral audiometry tests may be used. The following test may be added:

  • play audiometry

    During play audiometry, an electrical machine is used to transmit sounds or words at different volumes and pitches into the child’s ears while he/she wears earphones. For a toddler, the test is modified slightly and made into a game. The toddler will be asked to do something with a toy (touch it, move it) every time the sound is heard. This test relies on the cooperation of the child, which may not always be given.

    Hearing tests for the older child:
    Evaluating a child older than three or four years of age may include such tests as evoked otoacoustic emissions, auditory brainstem response, behavioral audiometry, play audiometry, and/or the following:

  • pure tone and speech audiometry

    This test uses an electrical machine to transmit words or sounds at different volumes and pitches into the child’s ears while he/she wears earphones.
    This test is modified slightly in the toddler age group and made into a game. The toddler is asked to do something with a toy (touch it, move it) every time the word or sound is heard. This test relies on the cooperation of the child, which may not always be given.

  • tympanometry (also called impedance audiometry)

    This test can be performed in most physician offices to help determine how the middle ear is functioning. It does not tell if the child is hearing or not but helps to detect any changes in pressure in the middle ear. Because the child needs to sit very still and not cry, talk, or move, this test can be difficult to perform in younger children.

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    This site is for informational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before making any decisions about your healthcare. Copyright © 2006 Daniel Samadi, M.D., PC