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I often hear the same question from parents: “When should I get my child’s hearing tested?” The short answer is: usually sooner than you think. Hearing plays a foundational role in a child’s development, especially during the early years when language, behaviour and learning rapidly evolve. Identifying hearing difficulties early can significantly impact a child’s ability to thrive.
In this article, I’ll discuss the key developmental milestones, the warning signs to watch out for, and why a hearing test for kids should be considered a core part of their health care, not just something you do when there’s a problem.
Why Early Hearing Tests Matter
Children learn to speak by hearing. They absorb the sounds around them, particularly the voices of those who care for them. This sound input shapes how they understand and learn to produce language. This process can be delayed or disrupted if a child has an undetected hearing issue—be it temporary, fluctuating, or permanent.
It may not be evident in everyday interactions, especially if the child has developed coping strategies, such as lip-reading or paying close attention to context. However, these compensations can mask a real issue that may surface in more complex listening environments, like a noisy classroom.
Children with untreated hearing issues can fall behind in school, struggle socially, and become frustrated or withdrawn. Their challenges might be misattributed to behavioural problems, learning difficulties, or attention issues when the root cause is a hearing concern.
A hearing test is recommended for several critical points during a child’s development. These include:
- If your child’s speech is delayed or difficult to understand beyond what’s expected for their age.
- A hearing test should always be performed before starting speech therapy to rule out hearing loss as a contributing factor.
- If your child frequently says “what?” or seems inattentive or distracted when spoken to.
- If your child has difficulty following instructions, especially when given verbally.
- When a teacher or caregiver raises concerns about your child’s listening or learning abilities.
- If there’s a history of repeated ear infections, glue ear, or grommets.
- Before and after surgery involving the ears, such as grommet insertion, to establish a baseline and confirm hearing recovery.
- A complete hearing evaluation is essential if your child has a diagnosis or suspicion of auditory processing disorder (APD).
- If they seem to ignore you, especially when your back is turned or you are in another room.
- If they watch TV with unusually high volume, they sit close to hear it better.
Sometimes, a hearing test is part of routine health surveillance, such as the newborn hearing screen. But after the newborn stage, many children do not have their hearing formally assessed again unless a concern is raised. That gap can allow issues to go undetected during the critical early learning years.
Not every hearing issue is serious or permanent, but even mild or temporary conditions can affect development if left unmanaged. Some of the more common problems include:
- Wax build-up: A surprisingly common and easily treatable cause of reduced hearing.
- Glue ear: A condition where fluid accumulates in the middle ear, often following colds or infections. It can cause fluctuating hearing loss and is most common in children aged 2 to 6.
- Auditory Processing Disorder (APD): A condition where the ears are working fine, but the brain has trouble interpreting sounds properly. Children with APD may struggle to follow fast-paced speech or instructions in noisy environments.
- Permanent hearing loss: While less common, this requires early intervention and may involve hearing aids or other technologies to support speech and language development.
What Happens During a Child’s Hearing Test? At The Audiology Place, our approach to hearing tests for kids is always tailored to the child’s age and developmental stage. For babies and toddlers, we use specialised techniques like otoacoustic emissions and tympanometry. For preschool and school-aged children, we often use play audiometry or visual reinforcement audiometry, which turn hearing tests into games that children find engaging and non-threatening. The test usually takes 30 to 45 minutes and occurs in a calm, quiet, soundproof room. We explain each step clearly to both the child and their caregiver. And the goal isn’t just to find out whether your child hears sounds—we also assess how they process speech and how their hearing functions across different pitches and volumes.
If a hearing issue is detected, the next step depends on the cause. Some problems may require a medical referral (for instance, to an ear, nose and throat specialist if grommets are needed), while others can be addressed through audiological care.
Treatment options might include:
- Earwax removal is often done through gentle microsuction.
- Auditory training can help with APD by strengthening the brain’s ability to interpret sound.
- If there is a hearing loss, hearing aids are available, with models tailored for young children and supported through programs like HSP or NDIS.
- Monitoring, if the condition is likely to improve on its own (such as mild glue ear), with regular checks to ensure it doesn’t worsen.
No matter the outcome, the most important thing is to act early. A child’s brain is still developing, and the earlier we intervene, the better the results, especially regarding language, behaviour, and education.
If your child struggles in school, seems inattentive, or has delayed speech, it’s worth considering their hearing. Many of the behaviours we associate with laziness, inattention, or disobedience are actually signs of a child not hearing properly.
Hearing tests are simple, non-invasive, and can provide clarity for parents and educators. They are one of the most valuable tools we have to ensure a child has the best possible start in life.
