Abi Hearing Melbourne Audiologist Hearing test Hearing aids

Paediatric Diagnostic Hearing Tests

Abi Hearing Melbourne Audiologist Hearing test Hearing aids

At Abi Hearing Clinic, we provide a full diagnostic hearing service to children from 7 months onwards.

Differing tests will be used to test your child’s hearing depending on their age and developmental stage. All testing is delivered in a child friendly setting using toy-based play or distraction to minimize anxiety and create a fun and friendly environment. Tympanometry will also be performed at all paediatric appointments to assess the status of the middle ear and check for fluid buildup or Eustachian tube dysfunction, common causes of temporary hearing loss in children.

  • Visual Reinforcement Audiometry

  • Play Audiometry

  • Behavioural Observation Audiometry

  • Tympanometry

  • Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA)

From around 7-28 months of age, Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) is used to test hearing. Children are conditioned to turn to sounds by rewarding their responses with a puppet or visual image/animation on a screen. At this age, sound is typically presented via a speaker in the room. Not all children will tolerate wearing headphones or insert earphones at this age, so ear specific results are not always possible.

Play Audiometry

By 3-3.5 years of age, most children are ready for Play Audiometry. Play Audiometry involves a fun and interactive game where the child responds to sounds by performing a task (e.g., putting a peg in a board). Typically, at this age, sound is presented via headphones or insert earphones and information about the hearing in both ears can usually be obtained.

Dealing with hearing and communication difficulties can be very hard to navigate. At the Melbourne Hearing Care Clinic (MHCC) we ensure that we always put you at the centre of that journey.

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