Pediatric Audiological Assessment

The primary goal of an audiological evaluation is to determine whether a child has sufficient hearing (i.e., auditory brain access) to develop speech and language. A complete diagnostic evaluation includes frequency and ear-specific threshold information using both air and bone conduction, immittance testing, otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) testing, and speech perception. Auditory brain response (ABR) and auditory steady-state response are routine for infant evaluations and can provide additional diagnostic information for older children and adults.

Accurate assessment of hearing in infants and children is critical if clinicians are to successfully manage hearing loss (HL). Most infants are now screened at birth so the process of early identification and management can begin very early. Infants will be screened using either ABR or OAE. Infants who do not pass ...