Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Kinds Of Hearing Evaluation Tests For Younger Generation

By Serena Price


A physician usually carries out a total physical tests, asks about the medical history of your child before he can continue with a hearing evaluation examination. The child ability to hear has several tests that can be conducted. The several tests vary depending on the childs age and also on their level of comprehension. The following pointers illustrate further on the tests carried out on your child on the basis the child age.

On a newly born, two types of examinations can be carried out. These examinations can be done either alone or both at the same time. ABR stands for Auditory brainstem response is the initial test. Wires that are glued to the baby scalp are used on this examination. When the baby is awake they may destruct the physician and prevent the test from being carried out well so the test is conducted when the baby is asleep. On the babies ear a set of earphones are placed and they make a clicking sound. The test seeks to find out the level of brain function ability in relation to the applied clicking sounds. The great news is that the child is not subjected to any form of pain.

The other method is known as evoked otoacoustic emissions. It is abbreviated as EOAE. In this method, plugs, which are small and flexible, are fitted in the baby ears. These plugs are meant for conveying sound to the baby. The microphones on these plug then records the otoacoustic responses of the ear in response to the sounds produced. This test is painless.

Similar test is carried out on an infants but they are examined using an additional test, which is known as behavioral audiometry. The behavior of child is put under keen observation, to see how they react after certain sounds that are made. The ear professional may decide to carry out more test if need arises.

A toddler can be evaluated using two tests. The first one is visual reinforcement audiometry abbreviated as VRA. During this test the child is trained to look towards a source of sound. When the child responds correctly, he is rewarded by use of visual objects like a flashlight or a moving toy. This test is done on children between 6 months to 2 years of age.

The other test used on toddlers is play audiometry. In this test, an electrical machine is used to relay sound at varied pitches and volumes into the ears of the child. This test can be modified to a game depending on the age group of the child. The child is requested to do something with a moving toy every time he hears the sound. In most cases, this test will rely on the cooperation of the child, which is not guaranteed.

For ages three and four the examination conducted on them is known as tympaomentry test also known as impendance audiometry. The test examines how the middle part of the year is functioning. It does not show hearing loss on the child but it detects changes in pressure. The child is expected to stay still without talking, moving, or crying.

Another test used for hearing evaluation in older children is Pure Tone audiometry. In this test, an electric machine is used to produce sounds at varied pitches as well as volumes onto the ears of the child. The child is asked to respond with his hand when he hears the tone through the earphone.




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