Hearing Assessments for Infants and Children
What are Hearing Assessments for Infants and Children?
Hearing assessments are tests which measure how well an infant and child’s ears receive and filter auditory stimulus and convert it into signals that can be transmitted to the brain. Children may be born with a hearing condition or it may develop later in childhood. Hearing plays a vital role in the emotional, cognitive, and social development of infants and children. Even mild hearing loss can affect a child’s language and speech development. Hence it is recommended that all infants and children undergo periodic hearing assessments.
Causes for Hearing Loss in Infants and Children
Hearing loss in infants and children may be due to:
- Genetics
- Pregnancy-related conditions in the mother such as diabetes or preeclampsia
- Premature birth
- Middle ear infection resulting in fluid build-up within the ear
- Illness or injury to the child
Types of Hearing Loss
The main types of hearing loss are:
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss: In this type of hearing loss, there may be an abnormality in either the structure of the ear or the nerves that are responsible for hearing. The condition may be present at birth or occur later in life. The hearing loss may be complete or partial and is usually permanent.
- Conductive Hearing Loss: This type of hearing loss is due to blockage of sound transmission into the ear. This condition is commonly seen in children and is often caused by fluid or wax build-up in the ear or an ear infection. It is usually mild and treatable.
- Mixed Hearing Loss: This is a combination of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.
Indications for Hearing Assessments for Infants and Children
Some of the signs and symptoms of hearing loss in infants and children include:
- Limited or no speech
- Frequent inattentiveness
- Difficulty with learning
- Becomes frustrated when there is background noise
- Not responding when called by name
- Not replying to questions or conversation
- Needing to increase the volume on the TV or music system
Preparing for a Hearing Assessment for Infants and Children
In preparation for your hearing assessment you should:
- Inform your doctor of your child’s medical history and current medications.
- Play “ear doctor” where you gently tug on the upper part of the ear and look inside your child’s ear canal or listening games in which your child must do a task at the sound of a beep.
- Get your child to listen to music using headphones.
- Bring your child’s attention to specific sounds in their environment.
Types of Hearing Assessment Tests for Infants and Children
Common hearing assessment tests for infants and children include the following:
Hearing tests for Infants:
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): In this test, tiny earphones are placed in the infant’s ear canal through which clicking sounds are played and electrodes are attached to the infant’s scalp using an adhesive to record brain activity in response to the clicking sounds.
- Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (EOAE): In this test, a small flexible plug is placed inside the infant’s ear. Sounds are transmitted through the plug and a tiny microphone records the responses to the sounds.
- Behaviour Audiometry: This test records the behavioural responses of the infant to various sounds at different volumes and intensities.
Hearing Tests for Children:
- Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA): In this test, the child is trained to look towards the source of a sound and rewarded for the correct response with a toy or flashing lights.
- Play Audiometry: In this test, a device transmits sounds at varying volumes and pitch levels into your child’s ears through headphones, and the child is asked to make a specific response, such as moving a toy or touching an object, every time the sound is heard.
- Pure Tone Test: This test measures the lowest sound that can be heard at different pitches. Headphones will be placed over your child’s ears and a series of tones will be played. The child will be required to press a button or raise their hand when they hear the tones.
- Tympanometry Test: This test measures the movement of your child’s eardrum or tympanic membrane. A small device will be placed inside the ear canal. The device pushes air through the ear causing movement of the eardrum, which is recorded. The test can also identify if there is infection, wax build-up, or damage to the eardrum.
Outcome of Hearing Assessment Tests for Infants and Children
The results of the hearing assessment tests will determine the presence and severity of the hearing loss in your child and whether the condition is temporary or permanent. A personalized treatment option can then be recommended for your child which may include watchful waiting, medications, ear tubes to drain fluid and prevent infections, hearing aids, cochlear implants, or surgery.
If you wish to be advised on your condition and the most appropriate treatment, please call to schedule an appointment or click here to request an appointment online.
