Hearing loss

Hearing tests

If you suspect that your child has a hearing loss, or if there are physical or medical conditions of the ear which cause concern, a hearing test can be made.

Children of any age - even newborns - can have their hearing tested. There are a variety of test methods available which are chosen according to your child’s age and maturity level. Hearing tests will not cause your child any physical discomfort.

This is how a hearing test is made

The common hearing test, during which the person being tested must indicate whether they can hear a sound, is not usually successful with young children as this method requires reliable responses from the child.

Hearing tests for children
We have compiled a list of a few of the most commonly-used tests to assess young children.

Where to perform hearing tests

In some countries, hearing tests are performed as a routine part of well-baby care. These tests can help alert parents to hearing difficulties.

An audiologist accustomed to testing adults may not have the necessary equipment to properly assess hearing loss in children. Therefore, it is a good idea to make sure that your audiologist routinely works with children.
The audiogram
The audiogram is a graphic illustration of results obtained during a hearing test or audiometry.
If your child is older than 6 months of age, a copy of an audiogram should be available to you. If your child is younger than 6 months of age, or if an audiogram could not be obtained because your child was uncooperative during the assessment, it is possible that your physician or audiologist based the diagnosis on results other than the audiogram.
In such cases, an audiogram will eventually be made once your child is older or more co-operative.
Always request a copy of the audiogram from your audiologist. This copy should be available to you if you wish to review results at a later date or if you wish to compare it to previous or subsequent audiograms.
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We have compiled a list of things in children’s behaviour that may indicate hearing difficulties.

How to understand your child's audiogram.


Types of hearing lossRead more about the various types of hearing loss.

Read more about our various hearing aid models.