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At The Audiology Place, I often meet parents who are unsure when or why their child might need a hearing test. It’s understandable. Hearing isn’t something most people think about unless there’s a clear problem. But just like vision screening or growth checks, a hearing test for kids is essential to their early healthcare. Even mild or temporary hearing issues can affect how a child learns to speak, perform in school, and interact with others.
Why Hearing Tests Matter
Hearing loss in children isn’t always apparent. Some children who seem inattentive, distracted or delayed in their speech might struggle to hear clearly. Untreated hearing loss, even if it’s only mild or in one ear, can lead to issues with:
- Speech and language development
- Classroom learning and attention
- Social skills and behaviour
Sometimes, the problem is something simple, like earwax or fluid behind the eardrum, which can be treated quickly once it’s identified.
Types of Hearing Tests for Different Ages
The type of hearing test we use depends on your child’s age and stage of development. Some tests can be done while a baby is asleep, while others rely on play or games to keep young children engaged.
For newborns (birth to 6 months):
Most babies in Australia receive their first hearing screen in the hospital shortly after birth. We typically use one or both of the following:
- Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (EOAE): A soft plug plays a sound in the ear. The microphone inside the plug listens for a response from the cochlea. If the inner ear is working correctly, it sends back an echo.
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): This test uses small stickers placed on the baby’s head to measure how the hearing nerve and brainstem respond to sound. The baby can sleep through the test and it’s completely painless.
For babies (6 months to around 2 years):
We start using behavioural tests that track your child’s response to sound.
- Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA): Your child is taught to turn toward a sound. When they do, a light or toy rewards them. This helps us measure hearing thresholds at different pitches.
- Behavioural Audiometry: The audiologist observes how your baby reacts to different sounds. It’s not as precise as other methods, but can still be helpful when other tests aren’t possible.
For toddlers (around 2 to 3.5 years):
At this stage, children are more interactive and ready for game-based testing.
- Play Audiometry: This turns the hearing test into a game. Your child might be asked to put a block on a tower or press a button when they hear a beep. It’s fun, reliable and gives a lot of useful information.
- VRA is still often used during this phase, especially if the child isn’t quite ready for full headphone testing.
For preschool and school-aged children (from 4 years and up):
Older children are able to participate in more standard hearing tests.
- Pure Tone Audiometry: Your child wears headphones and listens for soft beeps at different frequencies. They respond by pressing a button or raising their hand. This gives us a full picture of their hearing ability across various pitches.
- Speech Discrimination Testing: Your child repeats back words or identifies pictures based on what they hear. This helps us understand how clearly they hear speech.
- Tympanometry: This checks how well the middle ear works and whether fluid is behind the eardrum. It’s beneficial for children with a history of ear infections or glue ear.
What About Processing Issues?Some children have normal hearing but still struggle in noisy classrooms, following instructions, or understanding fast speech. In these cases, we might assess for Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD).
CAPD Testing is usually appropriate from age 7 and looks at:
- Auditory closure – Can your child fill in missing sounds in noisy situations?
- Auditory separation – Can they focus on one voice while ignoring others?
- Temporal processing – Can they detect subtle timing differences between sounds?
- Spatial processing – Can they tell where sounds are coming from?
Children with CAPD often present with learning or behavioural concerns that don’t match what’s expected based on their intelligence or other abilities. Testing can help identify whether an auditory issue is contributing to the challenges they face in school or at home.
What Are We Looking For?
The goal of a hearing test is to determine whether your child is experiencing any hearing difficulty and, if so, what kind.
We assess for:
- Conductive hearing loss – usually caused by earwax, fluid or middle ear infections
- Sensorineural hearing loss – related to the inner ear or hearing nerve
- Mixed hearing loss – a combination of both
- Auditory processing difficulties – when the brain has trouble interpreting sounds
What Happens After the Test?
After the assessment, we discuss what we found and what it means for your child. Some children will show normal hearing, and no further action is needed. Others may need further evaluation or treatment. That might include:
- Wax removal
- Monitoring for fluid or infections
- Grommets for glue ear
- Hearing aids
- Speech and language therapy
- Auditory training programs
Every child is different, and our recommendations are tailored to their needs and lifestyle. As an independent clinic, we’re not tied to any particular brand or device, so everything is chosen based on what’s best for your child.
When Should You Book a Hearing Test?
You should consider a hearing test if your child:
- Has delayed speech or unclear speech
- Doesn’t respond to their name
- Struggles to hear in noisy places
- Has frequent ear infections
- Is starting speech or language therapy
- Was born prematurely or had time in the NICU
- Has a family history of hearing loss
- Is not progressing at school as expected
If in doubt, it’s always better to check. Early diagnosis makes a huge difference to a child’s development.
At The Audiology Place in Forestville, we offer warm, supportive, child-friendly hearing assessments in a soundproof room. Our appointments are never rushed, and we take the time to get to know your child and their needs.
