Hearing Tests For Children

If you suspect your child may have a hearing problem, the sooner you have their hearing tested, the better. Detecting a hearing problem in a child can be challenging, especially in younger children who may not be able to express themselves clearly.

Hearing tests for children and adults share some similarities, but testing methods and considerations differ due to the unique aspects of paediatric audiology, and Peter Byrom Audiology is one of very few listening centres that provide audiologists trained in paediatrics.

They say never work with children or animals - us paediatric audiologists need to be as adaptable and flexible as TV presenters! The trick is in adjusting testing methods to your child's age, developmental stage, and ability to cooperate during the assessment, which is why well-known high street hearing centres don’t provide children’s hearing tests.

The Peter Byrom Audiology team is trained to use age-appropriate and child-friendly methods to obtain accurate information about your child's hearing abilities.

We’ll run a Tympanometry test plus at least one other from the following list, appropriate to your child’s age – and level of cooperation on the day!

Based on the outcome of the tests, we can prescribe the right treatment or hearing aids, or we can refer your child straight to the ENT (Ears, Nose & Throat specialist) in your local area or a private clinic.

Our ultimate goal is to identify any hearing issues your child may have early on, allowing for timely intervention and support to ensure proper language and communication development. We usually run at least two tests, to get a thorough understanding of your child’s hearing nerve and the middle ear, which costs £185 and takes around 90mins.

Call now on 0114 419 1800 or click here to book an appointment online

Peter or Nicole will conduct the hearing assessment to determine if there is any hearing impairment and recommend appropriate interventions if necessary.

• Delayed speech and language development

  You may be concerned if your child is not reaching typical speech and language milestones, or their vocabulary is limited compared to their peers. Perhaps they have speech or mispronunciation difficulties.

• Inconsistent response to sounds

  A child with normal hearing typically responds to sounds by turning their head and looking towards the source of the sound or reacting in some way. If your child consistently fails to respond to sounds, it may indicate a hearing problem.

• Difficulty following directions

  Children with hearing problems may have difficulty understanding and following spoken instructions.

• Volume control

  A child with hearing issues might speak loudly or have difficulty controlling the volume of their voice.

• Frequent ear infections

  Repeated ear infections can lead to temporary hearing loss, so if your child has a history of ear infections, it's essential to monitor their hearing.

• Unusual behaviour during conversations

  A child with hearing problems may exhibit unusual behaviours or reactions during conversations, such as leaning in closely, asking people to repeat themselves frequently, or watching people's faces intently.

• Unusual behaviour in the classroom

  Your child may appear disruptive during class, which could possibly be due to them being unable to hear properly, and so feeling excluded.

• Social withdrawal

  Hearing problems can lead to social isolation if your child has difficulty communicating or understanding others, so the sooner their hearing is tested, the sooner we can help treat them.

Of course, children develop at different rates, but if you suspect your child may have a hearing problem, book an appointment with Peter or Nicole for peace of mind.

Call now on 0114 419 1800 or click here to book an appointment online