Types Of Hearing Test Etobicoke

By Ines Flores


Newborn babies need to be screened for any potential problems in their hearing by using some two main tests. The first one is automated oto-acoustic emissions test, known as AOAE and takes a few minutes to complete. It can be done when the baby is in slumber. A minute earpiece is placed in the ears and quiet sounds that are clicking played through it. It is a type of hearing test Etobicoke residents can use.

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.

There is the automated auditory brainstem response test, AABR, in which three very small sensors are placed on the neck and head of the baby. Soft headphones are put over the ears of the baby and quiet sounds played. The analysis of sounds is done by a computer. For older children, there are other tests that are used.

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.

The method is useful only for children above 3 years of age. It comes in handy for screening how well the hearing of a child is before school begins. There also is play audiometry in which the child is expected to perform some simple task whenever they hear sounds from headphones. Such a task include moving of a toy.

A speech perception test is very effective too. It assesses the ability of children to recognize words without observing the person make movements of the lips. The words are said directly to the child while ensuring no lip movements are shown or they are played through headphones. The child identifies a word through picking out a matching word or picture from a list.

The method used for testing depends on the age of the child and the recommendation of the physician. Tests can also be carried out on adults. There are different methods for adult testing.




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