How a hearing assessment works for infants (0-24 months)

Infants aged 0 to 6 months

For infants aged 0 to 6 months, hearing screening using otoacoustic emissions allows the audiologist to make sure the inner ear is working properly.

During the assessment, the area needs to be as quiet as possible. Background noise like the baby’s movements, sucking sounds or crying can extend the assessment or affect results. The assessment will be easier and the results will be more reliable if the baby is asleep.

A small earphone that makes sound is placed inside the baby’s ear. This allows the audiologist to measure responses from the cochlea (hearing organ in the inner ear). This examination gives an idea of what the baby can hear, but does not give specific answers or determine the type of hearing loss. It is a simple “pass/fail” assessment.

If the assessment is “passed”

If the baby “passes” the assessment, they are very unlikely to have hearing loss. Significant hearing loss can therefore be eliminated as a possibility. However, while the test is sensitive, it cannot affect mild or very mild hearing loss or auditory neuropathy (damage to the auditory nerve or the junction between the auditory nerve and internal cilia, despite the external cilia working properly). For that reason, it is recommended to stay aware and observe the baby’s reactions to their auditory environment, as well as the development of their communication skills, throughout their childhood.

If the assessment is “failed”

A “failed” assessment indicates that the baby is more likely to have hearing loss, though this may not necessarily be the case. Your audiologist will direct you to the next step in the assessment process. It is recommended to follow up with an audiologist throughout your child’s development.

Results

After a hearing assessment, your audiologist will explain the results and make any necessary recommendations. A meeting with a hearing health professional, such as an ENT specialist, a speech-language pathologist or an audioprosthetist, may be needed.

A report is written after the exam and a copy may be given to the parents.

Toddlers aged 6 to 24 months

For toddlers aged 6 to 24 months, the hearing assessment is performed in a soundproofed room with two audiologists. Assessment with visual aids determines the quietest sound the child can hear by having them turn towards a visual aid (for example, an animation on a computer screen) every time they hear a sound.

Auditory stimulation

This type of assessment can involve sounds, voices or music, depending on the child’s preferences. The volume of these sounds varies so that the audiologists can determine the quietest sound that the child can hear.

First, an audiologist teaches the child what to do. The child will then be able to do the task by themselves. Sounds are generally played through speakers and the results are marked on an audiogram, which is a graphical representation of a person’s hearing acuity. Throughout the assessment, the audiologist remains very expressive and constantly encourages the child to keep their attention and make the assessment fun.

Afterwards, results are compared to the expected results for the child’s age.

Otoacoustic emissions

An otoacoustic emissions test generally completes the assessment and provides complementary information. This is an objective test that can determine the likelihood of hearing loss in each ear. The child does not need to do anything.

A small earphone that makes sound is placed inside the baby’s ear. This allows the audiologist to measure responses from the cochlea (hearing organ in the inner ear). This examination gives an idea of what the baby can hear, but does not give specific answers or determine the type of hearing loss. It is a simple “pass/fail” assessment. If the child is calm, this test only takes around 30 seconds per ear.

Results

After a hearing assessment, your audiologist will explain the results and make any necessary recommendations. A meeting with a hearing health professional, such as an ENT specialist, a speech-language pathologist or an audioprosthetist, may be needed.

A report is written after the exam and a copy may be given to the parents.