Babies that have just been born are screened for potential problems in hearing through the use of two quick tests that are painless. The first is the automated oto-acoustic emissions test, AOAE, which takes just some minutes and is able to be done when the baby is sleeping. There is placement of a small earpiece in the ears of the baby after which quiet sounds get played through it. This is one form of hearing test Etobicoke residents can consider.
If the ears are functioning properly in the AOAE test, there will be production of reflected sound in the cochlea. The sounds are transmitted to a computer for analysis. In the event that there is no clarity of the results, either the test is done again or a different one is used. The test may fail if the baby is not settled in their sleep or the background has some noise. Another reason for its failure could be temporary ear blockage.
Another test is the automated auditory brainstem test, abbreviated as AABR. In this, there is placement of three sensors that are small on the head and neck of the child. Quiet sounds get played through soft headphones placed on the ears. Sound analysis is done by special computers. These two tests will not work for older babies.
In the course of visual reinforcement audiometry, VRA, the baby sits on the laps of the physician or the parent as sounds get played via speakers. Should the baby turn in the direction of sound a toy is lit up to act as reward. Loudness is varied to know the minimum sound that the baby can hear at every pitch. The test can also be done out using small earphones in the ears of the child so that every ear gets tested separately. It is used for kids between 6 months and 3 years old.
For the case of pure tone audiometry, an audiometer is used to generate sounds at varying volumes. The sounds that are played via headphones as the kid is told to show some response whenever the sounds are heard. The response can be for example pressing some button. Through reduction of sound level, the least sounds that can be heard by the child will be worked out.
The technique works for children of three years and above. It helps to screen hearing ability of a child before he or she starts school. When play audiometry is used, children will be asked to perform simple tasks whenever they hear sounds played from headphones. They could for instance be asked to move toys whenever they hear a sound.
The speech perception test is used to assess the ability of the child to recognize the words they can hear without necessarily seeing a person make lip movements. The words could be played via headphones or the person says them directly without showing him or her lip movements. The child is then expected to identify a word by choosing a matching picture or word from a list.
The testing technique used will mostly depend on the age of a child. Hearing tests are also done on grownups. Adult testing techniques are different.
If the ears are functioning properly in the AOAE test, there will be production of reflected sound in the cochlea. The sounds are transmitted to a computer for analysis. In the event that there is no clarity of the results, either the test is done again or a different one is used. The test may fail if the baby is not settled in their sleep or the background has some noise. Another reason for its failure could be temporary ear blockage.
Another test is the automated auditory brainstem test, abbreviated as AABR. In this, there is placement of three sensors that are small on the head and neck of the child. Quiet sounds get played through soft headphones placed on the ears. Sound analysis is done by special computers. These two tests will not work for older babies.
In the course of visual reinforcement audiometry, VRA, the baby sits on the laps of the physician or the parent as sounds get played via speakers. Should the baby turn in the direction of sound a toy is lit up to act as reward. Loudness is varied to know the minimum sound that the baby can hear at every pitch. The test can also be done out using small earphones in the ears of the child so that every ear gets tested separately. It is used for kids between 6 months and 3 years old.
For the case of pure tone audiometry, an audiometer is used to generate sounds at varying volumes. The sounds that are played via headphones as the kid is told to show some response whenever the sounds are heard. The response can be for example pressing some button. Through reduction of sound level, the least sounds that can be heard by the child will be worked out.
The technique works for children of three years and above. It helps to screen hearing ability of a child before he or she starts school. When play audiometry is used, children will be asked to perform simple tasks whenever they hear sounds played from headphones. They could for instance be asked to move toys whenever they hear a sound.
The speech perception test is used to assess the ability of the child to recognize the words they can hear without necessarily seeing a person make lip movements. The words could be played via headphones or the person says them directly without showing him or her lip movements. The child is then expected to identify a word by choosing a matching picture or word from a list.
The testing technique used will mostly depend on the age of a child. Hearing tests are also done on grownups. Adult testing techniques are different.
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