Hearing Testing

Who tests hearing?

Audiologists are university trained professionals who specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of ear and balance disorders. At TSH all of our clinicians are child hearing specialists with experience working in a paediatric clinic.

How is hearing tested?

Getting an indication of the level of sounds your child can hear is just one of the aims of our comprehensive audiological assessment. We also assess the general health of the ear and related organs. In general, you can expect the following during the assessment:

A general discussion to ascertain any particular parental concerns and also to consider any relevant medical or developmental history.
Otoscopy, where the audiologist looks in the ear in the same way a GP would. This is to look for signs of infection or other abnormalities of the external and middle ear.
Tympanometry, to ascertain the function of the middle ear. This is a quick non-invasive test where a probe is placed in the ear canal. This test indicates any abnormal functioning of the ear drum or middle ear bones.
Audiometry, which shows us the range of sounds your child can hear. The way this test is done will vary depending on the age and development of your child.
A general discussion of the results and any recommendations.

What to expect at a hearing assessment:

Although every hearing assessment has the same aim, the methods for testing each child will be individual to his/her age and ability. The information below will explain the variety of tests we may perform based on your child's age and how you can best prepare your child for the test. Results of your child's test are usually available on the day. Please note payment is due at time of testing.

Birth to three months

Newborns under the age of three months can be seen at the Centre for a newborn hearing screening. This appointment takes approximately 15 minutes and the test is quick, safe and simple. The test is called an AABR or Automated Auditory Brainstem Response. It works best when your baby is asleep so we recommend you plan to feed and settle your baby once you have arrived at the Centre before your scheduled appointment. We suggest you do not let your baby sleep before the appointment. Be sure to bring your child's purple health record book with you on the day. For more information about newborn screening, you can download a brochure here.

Three months to 3 years

Allow one hour for this assessment as your child will undergo a combination of tests to check both their hearing and ear health. Please be sure to bring your child's purple health record book with you on the day and arrange care for any siblings. A noise free environment is important and we will need you to be available during all aspects of the test.

Otoscopic Examination (all ages) - involves looking into the ear canal with an ear torch called an otoscope to enable the audiologist to see the ear canal and ear drum. This can also show the presence of wax and foreign objects.
Tympanometry (all ages) - measures the movement of the ear drum and if the middle ear is healthy. This test is done on children of all ages. It helps identify middle ear problems consistent with fluid build up such as glue ear. This test is quick and simple to perform. Children have a tympanometry test in combination with the other age appropriate hearing tests.
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Testing (all ages) - tests the inner part of the ear. It involves placing a soft ear tip in the outer part of your child's ear; which puts in a soft clicking sound, and a response from the inner ear is measured. This response is picked up by a sensitive microphone in the probe.
Behavioural Observation Audiometry (BOA) (0 to 7 months) - involves recording how your child responds to different sounds. We use calibrated stimuli ("noisemakers") that make sounds of different pitches and loudness levels. Some responses we expect to see during testing may be a startle, eye blink or eye widening, or even just your child becoming still when the sound is presented. Our audiologists are trained in how to recognise subtle responses your child may make which indicate that they have heard the sound. This gives valuable information in how your child responds to sound. Your child will need to be awake for this test but settled.

Conditioned Oriented Response (COR) (8 months to 3 years) - involves your child being trained to respond to a sound by turning in the direction of the sound. We do this by showing them a toy and making a sound at the same time. Once your child links the sound with the toy, they will turn automatically when the sound is presented alone, without the toy. They will then be rewarded by the toy being displayed. Your child needs to be alert and settled for this test to be successful.
Speech testing (all ages) - tests what speech sounds a child is hearing and how loud they have to be to hear speech clearly. This is a functional test of what your child can hear. Speech material can be incorporated into the hearing test for any age group. Speech testing may involve your child turning to single sounds like "m", "ah" or "s", or for older children repeating words or sentences.

3 years and older

Allow one hour for this assessment as your child will undergo a combination of tests to check both their hearing and ear health.

Otoscopic Examination (all ages) - involves looking into the ear canal with an ear torch called an otoscope to enable the audiologist to see the ear canal and ear drum. This can also show the presence of wax and foreign objects.
Tympanometry (all ages) - measures the movement of the ear drum and if the middle ear is healthy. This test is done on children of all ages. It helps identify middle ear problems consistent with fluid build up such as glue ear. This test is quick and simple to perform. Children have a tympanometry test in combination with the other age appropriate hearing tests.
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Testing (all ages) - tests the inner part of the ear. It involves placing a soft ear tip in the outer part of your child's ear; which puts in a soft clicking sound, and a response from the inner ear is measured. This response is picked up by a sensitive microphone in the probe.

Play Audiometry (2.5 to 5 years) - involves training your child to respond to sound by taking part in a game. For example, placing blocks in a bucket, beads on a string or a similar activity. For this test your child wears headphones. You can help prepare your child for this test by having them practise wearing headphones at home. Some children can be a little unsure about wearing headphones, so if they are used to them, testing will be easier.

Pure Tone Audiometry (5 years onwards) - involves the child listening to sounds through the headphones and pressing a button when they hear tones.
Speech testing (all ages) - tests what speech sounds a child is hearing and how loud they have to be to hear speech clearly. This is a functional test of what your child can hear. Speech material can be incorporated into the hearing test for any age group. Speech testing may involve your child turning to single sounds like "m", "ah" or "s", or for older children repeating words or sentences.

Appointments for Hearing Testing

Testing services are available for children of all ages and no referral is required. To make an appointment at our Wembley campus (map available here) please phone 9387 9831 or complete our Appointment Request Form. You can also download a brochure here for more information.

Telethon Speech & Hearing provides infant and paediatric diagnostic testing for children from newborn to 18 years of age.