Babies that have just been born are screened for potential problems in hearing through the use of two quick tests that are painless. The first is the automated oto-acoustic emissions test, AOAE, which takes just some minutes and is able to be done when the baby is sleeping. There is placement of a small earpiece in the ears of the baby after which quiet sounds get played through it. This is one form of hearing test Etobicoke residents can consider.
For the test, in the event that the ears are functioning well, echoes will be produced in the part of the ear known as the cochlea. The sounds that result are sent to a computer for analysis. If the results are not clear enough, the test would have to be done once again or a different test performed. Failure of the first test may be attributed to unsettled state of the baby during the test, temporary ear blockage or presence of background noise.
The AABR test, known as automated auditory brain-stem response test involves placement of three minute sensors at the neck and head of the baby. Thereafter, headphones get placed over the ears then quiet sounds get played. Just like in most of the methods, the sounds are analyzed by the computer. The first two tests would not be ideal for older babies. There are special tests for them.
In the course of visual reinforcement audiometry, VRA, the baby sits on the laps of the physician or the parent as sounds get played via speakers. Should the baby turn in the direction of sound a toy is lit up to act as reward. Loudness is varied to know the minimum sound that the baby can hear at every pitch. The test can also be done out using small earphones in the ears of the child so that every ear gets tested separately. It is used for kids between 6 months and 3 years old.
During pure tone audiometry, an instrument known as an audiometer is used for generation of sounds at frequencies and volumes that are varying. The generated sounds are played via headphones as the child is told to show response whenever they hear a sound. For instance, they may be told to press a button. The sound level is reduced to know the least sound the child can hear.
This technique is only useful for kids over three years old. It is used for screening hearing ability of children before they begin school. In the technique known as play audiometry, the child will be asked to do a simple activity when they hear sounds played via headphones. For instance, they could be told to move some toy whenever they hear sounds.
The speech perception test is used to assess the ability of the child to recognize the words they can hear without necessarily seeing a person make lip movements. The words could be played via headphones or the person says them directly without showing him or her lip movements. The child is then expected to identify a word by choosing a matching picture or word from a list.
The testing method will depend on age of the child. There are different tests for adults. Hearing tests are best done when children are young.
For the test, in the event that the ears are functioning well, echoes will be produced in the part of the ear known as the cochlea. The sounds that result are sent to a computer for analysis. If the results are not clear enough, the test would have to be done once again or a different test performed. Failure of the first test may be attributed to unsettled state of the baby during the test, temporary ear blockage or presence of background noise.
The AABR test, known as automated auditory brain-stem response test involves placement of three minute sensors at the neck and head of the baby. Thereafter, headphones get placed over the ears then quiet sounds get played. Just like in most of the methods, the sounds are analyzed by the computer. The first two tests would not be ideal for older babies. There are special tests for them.
In the course of visual reinforcement audiometry, VRA, the baby sits on the laps of the physician or the parent as sounds get played via speakers. Should the baby turn in the direction of sound a toy is lit up to act as reward. Loudness is varied to know the minimum sound that the baby can hear at every pitch. The test can also be done out using small earphones in the ears of the child so that every ear gets tested separately. It is used for kids between 6 months and 3 years old.
During pure tone audiometry, an instrument known as an audiometer is used for generation of sounds at frequencies and volumes that are varying. The generated sounds are played via headphones as the child is told to show response whenever they hear a sound. For instance, they may be told to press a button. The sound level is reduced to know the least sound the child can hear.
This technique is only useful for kids over three years old. It is used for screening hearing ability of children before they begin school. In the technique known as play audiometry, the child will be asked to do a simple activity when they hear sounds played via headphones. For instance, they could be told to move some toy whenever they hear sounds.
The speech perception test is used to assess the ability of the child to recognize the words they can hear without necessarily seeing a person make lip movements. The words could be played via headphones or the person says them directly without showing him or her lip movements. The child is then expected to identify a word by choosing a matching picture or word from a list.
The testing method will depend on age of the child. There are different tests for adults. Hearing tests are best done when children are young.
