We test children’s hearing in different ways depending on their age and ability. The tests all aim to find the quietest sounds that your child can hear. We test children’s hearing between the ages of 2 to 4 years in preparation for them starting school. We use different test to assess your child’s hearing between these ages:
Play audiometry
During the test, sounds are played through headphones or speakers and your child is asked to perform a simple task when they hear the sound such as putting a peg in a hole or completing a puzzle. The volume and pitch of the sound will be varied to determine the quietest sounds your child is able to hear.
Pure tone audiometry
Older children may be able to carry out pure tone audiometry. During the test, sounds are generated at different volumes and frequencies. The sounds are played via headphones, and the child must respond by pressing a button or carrying out a play task. This enables us to determine the quietest sounds your child can hear from each ear. This is generally possible in a confident child from age 3 years.
Speech discrimination tests
These tests, also known as word recognition ability, check your child’s ability to hear words at different listening levels. Your child is asked to identify toys or pictures, or to copy words spoken to them or from a recording. From this we can assess the quietest level at which the child can correctly identify the words used.
Tympanometry
This test assesses how flexible your child’s eardrum is. For good hearing, the eardrum needs to be flexible to allow sound to pass through it. If the eardrum is too rigid sounds will bounce back off the eardrum instead of passing through it, which could be due to glue ear.
During the test, a soft rubber tube will be placed at the entrance of your child’s ear. Air is gently blown down the tube and a sound is played through a small speaker inside it. The tube then measures the sound that is bounced back from the ear.
Results
As with all our children’s hearing tests, we will provide a detailed written report of our findings to you and your GP. Should the test results be ambiguous or indicate any potential issues, we will advise on further tests that can be carried out to ensure a thorough and accurate diagnosis is reached.