It is important that a hearing loss is identified as soon as possible. A hearing loss can sometimes cause children to have difficulties with communication and/or socialising. This information tells you about some of the tactics that could help reduce the impact a hearing loss may be having on a child, helping them to feel more understood and less frustrated.

• Before speaking, firstly get your child’s attention by calling their name or by touch. Speak clearly, but don’t shout. If repetition is needed, try using different words.
• Avoid giving instructions or having important discussions in a noisy surrounding. Turning down any music or the television when you are talking to your child may help.
• Try talking face to face, sitting or bending to your child’s face level. It can be helpful to have light on your face and avoid standing in front of a window which can make lip reading difficult.
• When talking with your child, check that they are listening and watching. Check as you go along that they have understood. It is important to be aware, that when tired, listening can be harder work for your child.
• Don’t forget to inform relatives and friends who have contact with your child of the hearing difficulties your child may be experiencing. When informing your child’s teacher, ask if they can move your child to the front of the class. The teacher will also be able to let you know if your child needs any extra help at home or school.

Community Audiology is a team of professionals who specialise in testing children’s hearing. This information tells you about some of the hearing tests we use. We hope this will help you talk to your child about what will happen when they come to clinic.

The Distraction Test

• If your baby can sit unsupported, distraction testing can be used.
• Your baby will sit on your knee with you holding them around the waist.
• One tester will keep your baby’s attention by playing with some toys.
• The other tester will make a range of different sounds from behind your baby.
• We want to see if your baby will turn to look when they hear the sound.
• The sounds will be low, middle and high pitched.
• The sounds will start off quiet and get louder.
• We want to find the quietest sound at each pitch that your baby will turn for.
• It is very important that you don’t give any clues when the sound is there.

Visual Reinforcement Audiometry

• Visual Reinforcement Audiometry can be used to test babies who can sit unsupported, and toddlers.
• Your child will sit on your knee with you holding them around the waist.
• On each side of the room are two speakers, with cabinets with toys that light up inside.
• One tester will keep your child’s attention by allowing them to play with some toys on the table.
• The other tester will work the test equipment.
• Your child will be shown that when a sound comes, a toy lights up.
• This will encourage your child to turn around each time they hear the sound.
• We want to find the quietest sound at each pitch that your child will turn for.
• It is very important that you don’t give any clues when the sound is there.

Performance Test

• Older toddlers and pre school children may be able to do a performance test.
• One tester will stand behind your child with an electronic “Warbler” which makes sounds of known pitch and volume.
• The other tester will show your child the “game”: when they hear the sound they put a man in the boat.
• When your child plays the game they will be tested with low, medium and high pitched sounds. The sounds will start off loud and get quieter.
• The gaps between the sounds are changed to make sure they are not guessing.
• We want to find the quietest sound that your child can hear at each pitch.

Pure Tone Audiometry

• Pure Tone Audiometry is used with older pre-school children and school age children.
• The child listens for different tones through headphones.
• Each time they hear a tone they put a peg in a pegboard: older children and teenagers are given a button to press.
• The tones start off loud and get quieter until they are no longer heard.
• Pure Tone Audiometry tells us the quietest sound that can be heard in each ear, at each pitch tested.

The Toy Test

• The toy test is used with older toddlers and pre-school children.
• The tester puts some toys out on the table in front of your child.
• The toys are in pairs and are chosen because they sound similar e.g. key and tree.
• Your child will be asked to point to a toy.
• The tester will make sure your child can’t lip-read.
• The tester’s voice level is measured.
• This test is used to see how well your child can hear speech.