Screening & Testing
How Hearing is Tested in Children
Hearing Screening vs. Evaluation
A hearing screening determines the probability for whether a child has or does not have a significant hearing loss or whether further testing is needed. Most Minnesota hospitals will perform a screening otoacoustic emissions test on newborns before hospital discharge.
If they are not able to clear a child for hearing, a second screening may be recommended in 1-3 weeks after birth. If that test is inconclusive, the infant may be referred for ABR and a full audiologic evaluation to determine the degree and type of hearing loss.
For more information about newborn hearing screening online see the Minnesota Department of Health, Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI).
How Hearing is Tested in Children
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): While a child is sleeping or sedated, electrodes are placed on the child's head, sounds are presented through earphones and changes in brain wave activity are monitored when sound is presented.
- Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE): Involves placing a small probe in a quiet child's ear and measuring activity of the cochlea (inner ear).
- Behavioral testing: An alert infant or toddler sits on a parent's lap in a sound proof room while an audiologist presents various sounds and monitors the child behavior in response to sound. Visual Reinforcement Audiometry can be performed when a child is old enough to turn to the direction where a sound originates, and the audiologist reinforces responses with animated toys and lights.
- Tympanometry: Involves placing a special soft camera in a child's ear to evaluate middle ear function.
