Pediatric Hearing Evaluation Strategies
- Discuss how hearing is tested in children, the different types of hearing loss and the intervention strategies that address the infant’s communication needs.
Hearing tests vary based on a child’s age and developmental level.
Newborn Hearing Screening:
- Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE): Measures cochlear response to sound.
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): Assesses auditory nerve and brainstem activity.
Infants and Toddlers:
- Behavioral Observation Audiometry (BOA): Observes reactions to sound.
- Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA): Uses visual stimuli to condition responses.
Preschool and School-Age Children:
- Conditioned Play Audiometry (CPA): Engages children in a task-based response to sounds.
- Pure-Tone Audiometry: Tests frequency-specific hearing thresholds.
- Tympanometry: Evaluates middle ear function.
Types of Hearing Loss
Conductive Hearing Loss:
- Caused by outer or middle ear issues (e.g., ear infections, fluid buildup).
- Often temporary and treatable with medication or surgery.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL):
- Results from inner ear or auditory nerve damage.
- Typically permanent; managed with hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Mixed Hearing Loss:
- Combination of conductive and sensorineural loss.
- Requires both medical and audiological interventions…
Hearing tests vary based on a child’s age and developmental level.
Newborn Hearing Screening:
- Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE): Measures cochlear response to sound.
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): Assesses auditory nerve and brainstem activity.
Infants and Toddlers:
- Behavioral Observation Audiometry (BOA): Observes reactions to sound.
- Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA): Uses visual stimuli to condition responses.
Preschool and School-Age Children:
- Conditioned Play Audiometry (CPA): Engages children in a task-based response to sounds.
- Pure-Tone Audiometry: Tests frequency-specific hearing thresholds.
- Tympanometry: Evaluates middle ear function.
Types of Hearing Loss
Conductive Hearing Loss:
- Caused by outer or middle ear issues (e.g., ear infections, fluid buildup).
- Often temporary and treatable with medication or surgery.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL):
- Results from inner ear or auditory nerve damage.
- Typically permanent; managed with hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Mixed Hearing Loss:
- Combination of conductive and sensorineural loss.
- Requires both medical and audiological interventions…
