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Does Eastside Audiology Test Children?

Yes.  The audiologists here at Eastside Audiology are *very passionate* about the hearing health of today's children and they have the specialized equipment and training needed to test everyone from the newest newborns to our most elderly geriatric patients and everyone in between. 

Rest easy, you've come to the right place.

Age range 0-6 months

Since children under six months of age cannot be tested with their response to sound in the way that older children and adults can, they must undergo objective test measures to determine their hearing status - know as Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing.  These measures include a test with electrodes and insert earphones and a computer to monitor the neural response in the auditory nerve to tonal stimulus.  Specific responses are expected from a normal hearing ear and when these responses are seen at elevated test presentation levels, we can determine within a range of accuracy the expected hearing loss level.  Children with even a mild hearing loss will be at a disadvantage in learning language skills, and in turn, social and academic abilities can be impacted.  From these measures hearing aids can be fit using special techniques to habilitate these children before these signs are seen.

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When undergoing Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing the child must be asleep for the test.  In preparation for testing of a child under six months of age at our clinic, please:

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  • Keep the child awake for a few hours before the test so that the child arrives tired

  • Bring a companion to help keep the child awake in the car

  • arrive with child hungry, so that the child can be fed just before the test starts to help him or her fall asleep easily

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The clinic has soft lighting, a quiet room, and a comfortable chair for the baby to sleep in during the hearing assessment.  Please remember that if the baby does not sleep during the test or is not cooperating, another appointment may have to be made to complete testing.  Once the hearing assessment results are complete, the audiologist will explain to you:

  • How hearing works

  • What sounds the baby can hear and might not hear

  • How any hearing loss may affect the development of language

  • Further support services that should be considered when following an early hearing detection and intervention program

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For children older than six months Eastside Audiology utilizes either Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) or Conditioned Play Audiometry (CPA)

Parents should ensure that the child is well rested and is familiar with having their ears touched in anticipation of the testing.  To help facilitate this we encourage playing with their ears, cleaning their ears with a cloth, playing with headphones, earmuffs,

and headbands.  Anything ear level that will make them comfortable and normalize contact with the ear.  Additionally, if the child has difficulties with transitions, extra time and extra comforting may be required.  If you have specific

comfort items please feel free to bring them.  Ask the audiologist when it is appropriate to bring out the items and be prepared to get general information minimally to guide treatment direction.   **If needed, a one-time second appointment

within a six month period can be booked at no charge.

Ages over 3.5 years generally follow the adult diagnostic protocol

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Age range 6 months - 3.5 years old

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