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.
For the test, in the event that the ears are functioning well, echoes will be produced in the part of the ear known as the cochlea. The sounds that result are sent to a computer for analysis. If the results are not clear enough, the test would have to be done once again or a different test performed. Failure of the first test may be attributed to unsettled state of the baby during the test, temporary ear blockage or presence of background noise.
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 visual reinforcement audiometry, a baby will be made to sit on the laps as sounds are played to them from a speaker. If the baby turns in the direction of the produced sound, a reward is given in the form of for instance a toy that is lit. In order to know the least sound the baby is able to hear at each pitch, the loudness will be varied. The same test may be performed using earphones. Earphones enable every ear to be tested on its own. It is used in kids between six months and three years old.
For the case of pure tone audiometry, an audiometer is used to generate sounds at varying volumes. The sounds that are played via headphones as the kid is told to show some response whenever the sounds are heard. The response can be for example pressing some button. Through reduction of sound level, the least sounds that can be heard by the child will be worked out.
This technique is only useful for kids over three years old. It is used for screening hearing ability of children before they begin school. In the technique known as play audiometry, the child will be asked to do a simple activity when they hear sounds played via headphones. For instance, they could be told to move some toy whenever they hear sounds.
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.
For the test, in the event that the ears are functioning well, echoes will be produced in the part of the ear known as the cochlea. The sounds that result are sent to a computer for analysis. If the results are not clear enough, the test would have to be done once again or a different test performed. Failure of the first test may be attributed to unsettled state of the baby during the test, temporary ear blockage or presence of background noise.
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 visual reinforcement audiometry, a baby will be made to sit on the laps as sounds are played to them from a speaker. If the baby turns in the direction of the produced sound, a reward is given in the form of for instance a toy that is lit. In order to know the least sound the baby is able to hear at each pitch, the loudness will be varied. The same test may be performed using earphones. Earphones enable every ear to be tested on its own. It is used in kids between six months and three years old.
For the case of pure tone audiometry, an audiometer is used to generate sounds at varying volumes. The sounds that are played via headphones as the kid is told to show some response whenever the sounds are heard. The response can be for example pressing some button. Through reduction of sound level, the least sounds that can be heard by the child will be worked out.
This technique is only useful for kids over three years old. It is used for screening hearing ability of children before they begin school. In the technique known as play audiometry, the child will be asked to do a simple activity when they hear sounds played via headphones. For instance, they could be told to move some toy whenever they hear sounds.
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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