For the physician to do a hearing evaluation on your child, he will have to perform a complete physical examination and medical history. Besides this, there are other various types of hearing tests that can also be used to examine your child ability to hear. Some of these tests can be used on every age while others are only meant for the specific age of the child and his level of understanding. Below are some of the tests and how they are used on different ages of children.
On a newly born, two types of examinations can be carried out. These examinations can be done either alone or both at the same time. ABR stands for Auditory brainstem response is the initial test. Wires that are glued to the baby scalp are used on this examination. When the baby is awake they may destruct the physician and prevent the test from being carried out well so the test is conducted when the baby is asleep. On the babies ear a set of earphones are placed and they make a clicking sound. The test seeks to find out the level of brain function ability in relation to the applied clicking sounds. The great news is that the child is not subjected to any form of pain.
The other examination is known as evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAE). This test unlike the other one utilizes plugs that are small and flexible into your babies ear. The function of the plugs is to send sounds in the ear. The otoacoustic feedback of the sound made in the ear is recorded by a microphone within the inserted plug. The similarity with the other test is that it is done when the baby is asleep and is also pain free.
Infants are also evaluated using the same tests as the newborn and another test is also used which is referred to as behavioral audiometry. This test is based on observing the behavior of the child in response to certain sounds produced. The physician may also choose to do additional tests if need be.
Babies between the age of six months and two years usually use two tests. The first one is known as visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA). The child is taught to focus on a source of a produced sound. The child enjoys the test since it is formulated like a game that has a reward system in form of visible objects such as toys in motion or flashlights. Once the child makes the correct response, they are rewarded.
The other test used on toddlers is play audiometry. In this test, an electrical machine is used to relay sound at varied pitches and volumes into the ears of the child. This test can be modified to a game depending on the age group of the child. The child is requested to do something with a moving toy every time he hears the sound. In most cases, this test will rely on the cooperation of the child, which is not guaranteed.
Children who fall in the age bracket of 3 to 4 years are evaluated using Tympanometry test. This is also known as impendance audiometry. It is used to determine the functionality of the middle ear of the child. It is used for detecting any pressure change and not for examining the ability of a child to hear. When carrying out this test, a child should remain still without crying, moving or talking.
Another test used for hearing evaluation in older children is Pure Tone audiometry. In this test, an electric machine is used to produce sounds at varied pitches as well as volumes onto the ears of the child. The child is asked to respond with his hand when he hears the tone through the earphone.
On a newly born, two types of examinations can be carried out. These examinations can be done either alone or both at the same time. ABR stands for Auditory brainstem response is the initial test. Wires that are glued to the baby scalp are used on this examination. When the baby is awake they may destruct the physician and prevent the test from being carried out well so the test is conducted when the baby is asleep. On the babies ear a set of earphones are placed and they make a clicking sound. The test seeks to find out the level of brain function ability in relation to the applied clicking sounds. The great news is that the child is not subjected to any form of pain.
The other examination is known as evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAE). This test unlike the other one utilizes plugs that are small and flexible into your babies ear. The function of the plugs is to send sounds in the ear. The otoacoustic feedback of the sound made in the ear is recorded by a microphone within the inserted plug. The similarity with the other test is that it is done when the baby is asleep and is also pain free.
Infants are also evaluated using the same tests as the newborn and another test is also used which is referred to as behavioral audiometry. This test is based on observing the behavior of the child in response to certain sounds produced. The physician may also choose to do additional tests if need be.
Babies between the age of six months and two years usually use two tests. The first one is known as visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA). The child is taught to focus on a source of a produced sound. The child enjoys the test since it is formulated like a game that has a reward system in form of visible objects such as toys in motion or flashlights. Once the child makes the correct response, they are rewarded.
The other test used on toddlers is play audiometry. In this test, an electrical machine is used to relay sound at varied pitches and volumes into the ears of the child. This test can be modified to a game depending on the age group of the child. The child is requested to do something with a moving toy every time he hears the sound. In most cases, this test will rely on the cooperation of the child, which is not guaranteed.
Children who fall in the age bracket of 3 to 4 years are evaluated using Tympanometry test. This is also known as impendance audiometry. It is used to determine the functionality of the middle ear of the child. It is used for detecting any pressure change and not for examining the ability of a child to hear. When carrying out this test, a child should remain still without crying, moving or talking.
Another test used for hearing evaluation in older children is Pure Tone audiometry. In this test, an electric machine is used to produce sounds at varied pitches as well as volumes onto the ears of the child. The child is asked to respond with his hand when he hears the tone through the earphone.
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