The Hearing Test
When a hearing loss is suspected an audiologist conducts a hearing lest. This test is done in a specially constructed (sound proof) room. The type of hearing test conducted varies with the age and co-operation of the child being tested.
Birth to 7 months:
BEHAVIORAL OBSERVATION AUDIOMETRY OR DISTRACTION TESTING
Hearing is tested by noting the level at which the infant shows an awareness of sound, like a “startle” or ‘stilling” response to the shake of a rattle. At birth the infant often does not respond to sound until it is considerably above his/her threshold but this improves so responses closer to threshold can be obtained by the end of this period.
8 months to 2 1/2 years: VISUAL REINFORCEMENT AUDIOMETRY
When a hearing loss is suspected an audiologist conducts a hearing lest. This test is done in a specially constructed (sound proof) room. The type of hearing test conducted varies with the age and co-operation of the child being tested.
Birth to 7 months:
BEHAVIORAL OBSERVATION AUDIOMETRY OR DISTRACTION TESTING
Hearing is tested by noting the level at which the infant shows an awareness of sound, like a “startle” or ‘stilling” response to the shake of a rattle. At birth the infant often does not respond to sound until it is considerably above his/her threshold but this improves so responses closer to threshold can be obtained by the end of this period.
8 months to 2 1/2 years: VISUAL REINFORCEMENT AUDIOMETRY
Hearing is tested by noting the level at which the child turns to sounds presented through loud speakers. If the child turns when a sound is presented he/she is rewarded with a puppet located near the speaker. Sounds of a variety of pitches are presented, and the child’s responses are very close to threshold.
2 1/2 to 5 years: PLAY AUDIOMETRY
Hearing is tested by teaching the child to perform some simple task such as putting pegs in a pegboard when he/she hears a sound through headphones. Sounds of a variety of pitches are presented and the child’s responses arc typically at threshold. At six years of age the child is asked to press a button or raise a hand when a sound is heard, giving responses at threshold levels. When headphones are used, the hearing level in each ear (monaural) is tested. However, when sounds are presented through loudspeakers both ears are tested together (binaural). If one ear hears more poorly than the other, headphone testing picks this up. But loudspeaker testing does not, it gives only the better ear hearing levels.
2 1/2 to 5 years: PLAY AUDIOMETRY
Hearing is tested by teaching the child to perform some simple task such as putting pegs in a pegboard when he/she hears a sound through headphones. Sounds of a variety of pitches are presented and the child’s responses arc typically at threshold. At six years of age the child is asked to press a button or raise a hand when a sound is heard, giving responses at threshold levels. When headphones are used, the hearing level in each ear (monaural) is tested. However, when sounds are presented through loudspeakers both ears are tested together (binaural). If one ear hears more poorly than the other, headphone testing picks this up. But loudspeaker testing does not, it gives only the better ear hearing levels.
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