If you or your doctor suspect that your child may be having difficulty in hearing, it is advisable to perform special hearing tests. These can be performed by either an audiologist or an ear, nose and throat specialist, to whom your local doctor can refer you. Remember that a child’s hearing can be tested at any age, even in infancy. No child is ever too young to have his hearing tested.
Audiometry
This hearing test is generally suitable only for children over 4 years of age. The audiometer is connected to a set of earphones which are placed over your child’s head. Each time a note is sounded your child is asked to signal that he has heard it. The notes are played at different frequencies and volume levels, and your child’s responses are recorded. This builds up a complete profile of your child’s hearing, and the pattern can show which type of hearing loss, if any, he has. This aids in accurate diagnosis and treatment of the specific condition.
Auditory brainstem evoked response (ABR)
This is a specialised procedure which is used to test hearing in infants. It measures changes in the baby’s EEG (see above) when sound stimuli are presented. It is best done when the baby is in a quiet state, preferably asleep. An earpiece is placed in the baby’s ear, and three electrodes (special wires) are placed on his head. Sounds are presented through the earpiece, and responses are measured. The baby does not feel any pain or discomfort.
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