Pediatric Testing

Hearing tests for children (Pediatric Evaluations) demand specialized testing equipment and techniques, and may require more than one visit.

Children over the age of 5 generally can be tested at any Newport Audiology Center. Children under the age of 5 and those with developmental delays, who cannot respond to conventional testing procedures, require special testing techniques. These specialized tests are available at select Newport Audiology Centers locations.

Children Under 6 Months Old
For children under 6 months of age, those with developmental delays, or infants that have not matured to support themselves, Behavioral Observation Audiometric techniques are used. The Audiologist and parent observe behavioral changes, (startle, alerting, calming), made by the child in response to speech or tones.

Children 6 Months to 1 Year Old
A child between 6 months and 1 year of age is often tested by a combination of sound source localization and Behavioral Observation Audiometric (BOA) procedures. If the child is developed enough to move their head, they will usually turn toward the sound source and visual or tactile reward issued.

Children 1-3 Years Old
The child between the age of 1 and 3 years is usually tested by Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) procedures. The child is conditioned to respond to speech and a variety of tones presented from a loudspeaker. When the child turns toward the sound, they will be rewarded by a flashing toy.

3 Years & Older Children
Children over the age of 3 are usually tested with Conditioned Play Audiometry (CPA). The child is asked to respond to a tone by dropping an object into a bucket, building a stacker toy, or inserting pegs into a pegboard. Acoustic Impedance testing is recommended for all Pediatric Evaluations. This test measures the mobility and function of the eardrum, thereby, checking for the possible presence of middle ear infections or fluid behind the eardrum.