Hearing Evaluation and Diagnosis

How Do You Test a Baby's Hearing?

You won't be able to test your baby's hearing at home. You'll need a pediatric audiologist to run a set of tests using specialized equipment. Your audiologist will explain the purpose of each test and what it means for your baby's hearing. These tests include auditory brainstem response (ABR) and otoacoustic emissions (OAE). They're gentle, safe, and won't cause your baby any discomfort or pain.

Depending on the age of your baby, they may be tested using behavioral audiometry. For this testing, you and your baby will most likely go into a soundproof booth together and your pediatric audiologist will present sounds and observe your baby's responses. Since you'll be with your baby throughout the testing you can observe the responses as well.

Find an Audiologist

There are several ways you can find an audiologist. Try using a directory from the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) or the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

What the Test Results Mean

Your pediatric audiologist will talk to you about the results of your baby's hearing evaluation. They'll be able to clearly explain what the testing does and doesn't tell them about your baby's hearing.

Diagnosing hearing loss takes more than just one testing session. Depending on a number of factors, your audiologist may ask you to schedule another appointment for further testing. If your baby's hearing is in the normal range, they'll provide information about future hearing screenings if needed.

If your baby is diagnosed with hearing loss, a lot of information will be shared with you. Your audiologist will discuss what type of hearing loss your baby has, how severe it is, and how to get started with the right devices so your baby can hear.

Familiar Sounds Audiogram

Understanding Your Child's Hearing

“What can my child hear?” “What does their hearing loss mean?” This eBook helps parents and professionals answer these questions together, with clear explanations and definitions about an audiogram, hearing loss, and more.

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Audiogram

An audiogram is a visual picture that shows what speech sounds your child can hear at the time of testing. You'll learn about your child's audiogram which will help you better understand their hearing loss.

Range of Hearing Loss

You'll learn if their hearing loss level is mild, moderate, severe, or profound. With advances in hearing technology, even babies with profound hearing loss, often identified as deaf, are learning to listen and talk.

Type of Hearing Loss

There are two basic types of hearing loss – conductive and sensorineural.

• Conductive hearing loss is caused by problems in the outer or middle ear, such as an ear infection, wax buildup, or a problem with how the ear is formed. This may be corrected with medical treatment or surgery.
• Sensorineural hearing loss means the problem is in the inner ear or cochlea – the part of the ear that receives, organizes, and transfers sound through nerves to the brain. This type of hearing loss is permanent, which means that it can't be corrected with surgery, but listening and talking are still possible with hearing devices, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Location of Hearing Loss

Your baby may have hearing loss in only one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral).

Cause of Hearing Loss

In many cases, the cause of your baby's hearing loss may be unknown. If possible, your pediatric audiologist and ear-nose-throat doctor (ENT) will help determine a cause.

Generally, there are two types of causes. Hearing loss can be caused by hereditary or genetic factors that have different likelihoods of occurrence. Hearing loss can also be caused by environmental events such as lack of oxygen at birth, infections, head trauma, or medications. Sometimes, it's both genetic and environmental factors that cause hearing loss.

Timing of Hearing Loss

The timing can vary. If the hearing loss is present at birth or shortly thereafter, it's known as congenital hearing loss. Hearing losses that happen after the child has started to learn to talk is known as acquired hearing loss.

Other Professionals You May Need

Typically your baby is referred to a medical doctor who specializes in childhood ear and hearing problems – like an ear-nose-throat (ENT) doctor or an otologist. They'll examine your baby to see if there's a medical solution to their hearing loss. Your baby may be referred for other diagnostic tests, such as X-rays or MRI scans, to further define the type and source of the hearing loss.

What to Do if Hearing Loss Is Confirmed

Here's what you can do right away to put you and your baby on the path toward learning to listen and talk.

1. Get your baby fit with the right hearing devices as soon as possible so they can hear all the sounds or information around them, especially your voice. You'll learn about the hearing device and audiological services your baby needs. Your audiologist will:
   • Recommend hearing device options so your baby's brain can get complete and clear auditory information
   • Discuss costs and services for the hearing devices
   • Customize your baby's hearing devices so they fit well
   • Teach you how to care for the devices
   • Discuss enrolling immediately in early intervention based on the goals you have for your baby
   • Make a plan to manage and monitor your baby's hearing so you can catch any further hearing loss as early as possible
2. Enroll in early intervention services with a professional who is experienced in the communication outcome you want for your baby, like Listening and Spoken Language (LSL). They'll guide you to achieve the future you want for your baby. There's a lot to consider but you can learn more about how to build your support team.
3. Find support from other families like yours in the Hearing First Family Support Community.