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.
With the AOAE test, if the ears of the child are working normally, echoes should be produced in the cochlea. The sounds are analyzed by the computer. There are times when the results are not vivid and they would have to be re-done or another test used. The first test may fail because maybe the baby was not settled during the time, presence of noise in the background or due to 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.
In pure tone audiometry, the instrument used is an audiometer which generates sounds with frequencies that vary. These sounds are normally played through a headphone. As this happens, the child will be asked to show a response when they hear a sound. For example, they may be asked to press a button. The sound level is gradually reduced to know the least sound the child can hear.
This technique is only useful for kids over three years old. It is used for screening hearing ability of children before they begin school. In the technique known as play audiometry, the child will be asked to do a simple activity when they hear sounds played via headphones. For instance, they could be told to move some toy whenever they hear sounds.
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 method will depend on age of the child. There are different tests for adults. Hearing tests are best done when children are young.
With the AOAE test, if the ears of the child are working normally, echoes should be produced in the cochlea. The sounds are analyzed by the computer. There are times when the results are not vivid and they would have to be re-done or another test used. The first test may fail because maybe the baby was not settled during the time, presence of noise in the background or due to 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.
In pure tone audiometry, the instrument used is an audiometer which generates sounds with frequencies that vary. These sounds are normally played through a headphone. As this happens, the child will be asked to show a response when they hear a sound. For example, they may be asked to press a button. The sound level is gradually reduced to know the least sound the child can hear.
This technique is only useful for kids over three years old. It is used for screening hearing ability of children before they begin school. In the technique known as play audiometry, the child will be asked to do a simple activity when they hear sounds played via headphones. For instance, they could be told to move some toy whenever they hear sounds.
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 method will depend on age of the child. There are different tests for adults. Hearing tests are best done when children are young.
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When you need a hearing test Etobicoke residents can come to Alpha Hearing & Speech Rehab. For the latest information on our products and promotions, visit us online right now at http://www.alphahearingspeech.com
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