When Should Children Have Their Hearing Tested?
Hearing plays a fundamental role in a child's development. It affects speech and language acquisition, learning at school, social skills, and emotional wellbeing. Undetected hearing problems in children can lead to delays in speech development, difficulties at school, and behavioural issues that may be mistaken for other conditions.
In Australia, most babies receive a hearing screening through the Victorian Infant Hearing Screening Program shortly after birth. However, hearing can change as children grow, and some hearing issues develop later in childhood. We recommend hearing tests at the following milestones, or sooner if you have any concerns:
- At birth (newborn hearing screening, usually done in hospital)
- At 6 months, if there were any complications during pregnancy or birth
- Before starting primary school (around age 4 to 5)
- If your child experiences frequent ear infections or glue ear
- If there are concerns about speech and language development
- If your child is not responding to sounds or their name being called
- If the television is consistently turned up to high volumes
- After any head injury or illness that may affect hearing
Behavioural Testing Methods
For children who are old enough to respond to sounds, we use behavioural testing methods that are engaging and age-appropriate. These tests measure how your child responds to different sounds and speech.
Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA), Ages 6 months to 2.5 years
Your child sits on your lap in a sound booth. When a sound is played, your child turns towards it and is rewarded with a fun visual display like a moving toy or animated character. This teaches them to respond to sounds and allows us to measure their hearing thresholds.
Play Audiometry, Ages 2.5 to 5 years
We turn the hearing test into a game. Your child performs a simple action, such as putting a block in a bucket, whenever they hear a sound. This makes the experience fun and engaging while providing accurate hearing measurements.
Conventional Audiometry, Ages 5 years and older
Older children press a button or raise their hand when they hear a sound through headphones, similar to adult testing. Speech testing is also included to assess how well they hear and understand words.
Objective Testing Methods
For very young babies or children who may not be able to participate in behavioural testing, we use objective methods that do not require a response from your child. These tests are safe, painless, and highly accurate.
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
A tiny probe placed in your child's ear canal plays a soft sound and measures the echo returned by the inner ear. This quick, painless test tells us whether the cochlea is functioning properly. It can be performed on babies from birth.
Tympanometry
A small probe creates a gentle pressure change in the ear canal to measure how the eardrum moves. This checks for middle ear fluid, which is very common in young children and can cause temporary hearing loss.
Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)
Small sensors placed on your child's head measure the electrical activity of the hearing nerve in response to sounds. This test can be done while your child sleeps naturally and provides detailed information about their hearing levels.
Speech Awareness Testing
For children who can cooperate, we test their ability to detect and repeat speech sounds. This helps us understand how hearing may be affecting their language development in real-world situations.
Signs of Hearing Issues in Children
Children may not always be able to tell you they are having trouble hearing. Watch for these signs that may indicate a hearing problem:
- Not startling at sudden loud noises (in babies)
- Delayed speech and language development for their age
- Frequently saying "what?" or asking for things to be repeated
- Sitting very close to the television or turning the volume up high
- Difficulty following instructions or seeming not to pay attention
- Falling behind at school or teachers reporting inattentiveness
- Frequent ear infections or pulling at their ears
- Speaking too loudly or too softly
- Difficulty hearing in noisy environments like playgrounds or classrooms
If you notice any of these signs, a professional hearing assessment can provide clear answers. Many childhood hearing issues are treatable, especially when detected early. Early intervention can make a significant difference in your child's speech, learning, and social development.
Book Your Child's Hearing Test
Our audiologists are experienced in working with children of all ages. We create a friendly, relaxed environment to make the experience positive for both you and your child. Parent(s) or carers are welcome to stay with their child throughout the entire appointment.