Pediatric Audiology Services

The audiologist places a soft probe into the ear canal to assess the ear drum’s movement. This test can reveal certain middle ear issues (ex: an eardrum not moving well due to middle ear fluid or middle ear malformation), which may affect hearing. Some types of middle ear issues respond well to medical intervention.

The audiologist places a soft probe into the ear canal, which sends quiet beeping sounds into the ear and records the inner ear’s response to the sounds. This test reveals the integrity of the hearing pathway up to the level of the cochlea in the inner ear.

The audiologist places a set of electrodes at various points on a child’s head, as well as earphones in the ears. While the child is asleep, the audiologist plays a series of clicking or beeping sounds into the child’s ears and records the response of the brainstem to these sounds. Audiologists use ABR to objectively estimate the degree, configuration and type of hearing loss.

For children who cannot reliably respond to sound because of their age or development, audiologists use behavioral observation techniques to assess and monitor hearing. The audiologist may present sounds at various pitches and levels through earphones or speakers and observe the child’s reactions (ex: eye widening or changes in sucking patterns).

For children who can sit up and turn their heads but are not yet able to follow instructions in a play task, the audiologist uses VRA to assess hearing. Using a visual reward such as a video or toy system, the audiologist teaches the child to respond to sounds through earphones or speakers. When the child is able to respond reliably, VRA can be used to measure hearing sensitivity. This information can be used to determine the type, configuration and degree of hearing loss.

For children who can follow simple instructions and wait to respond to sounds, audiologists use CPA to measure hearing. CPA turns the hearing test into a game. The audiologist teaches the child to respond to sounds through earphones or speakers by playing a simple activity, such as placing a peg on a board when they hear a sound. When the child is able to respond reliably, CPA can be used to measure hearing sensitivity. This information can be used to determine the type, configuration and degree of hearing loss.

For children who can reliably respond to sound independently, audiologists may use conventional audiometry. This method is typically used to assess hearing in adults. The child raises a hand or pushes a button in response to sounds presented through earphones. This information will show the type, configuration and degree of hearing loss.

CID audiologists use various methods to measure, track and describe progress in a child’s abilities to understand speech. For example, the CID-developed Early Speech Perception Test (ESP) is a picture- and toy-based test for young children. Audiologists may use speech perception tests to measure the impact of a hearing device (such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant) on a child’s speech perception abilities.

CID audiologists collect data to recommend an appropriate hearing device or combination of devices to address your child’s hearing needs. Recommendations may include pediatric-specific digital hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone conduction devices and/or other assistive listening devices/accessories.

CID audiologists fine-tune each hearing device to fit each child’s specific audiologic needs, ensuring that the child gains optimal access to all sounds of speech.

Well-fitting earmolds are important to maintain physical comfort with hearing aids as well as to hear optimally. At our onsite lab, CID audiologists take ear impressions, then design and manufacture new custom earmolds routinely as children grow.

Parents who bring their children in for hearing testing often have many questions. Our experienced CID audiologists are here to help. We discuss the audiogram and other test results, hearing devices and long-term implications of being diagnosed with a hearing loss.

Maintaining consistent, quality access to sound is important as a child with hearing loss develops spoken language. CID is able to loan hearing technology such as hearing aids, cochlear implant external equipment, bone-anchored processors, retention items and classroom DM systems to reduce disruptions or delays to device use. This loaner program is available through generous donors, grant funding and family personal device donations. Loaner use covers situations such as fitting devices while waiting for insurance/early intervention authorizations or repair/replacement of personal devices and during a trial of new or different technology.

For CID students, some hearing device repairs can be completed onsite, often within minutes. For more extensive issues, hearing aid repairs can be initiated and a loaner device used while waiting for devices to be repaired. CID audiologists often address earmold issues on the same day as reported. Sometimes they take new impressions and sometimes they offer temporary earmolds for use while waiting for the custom replacements.

CID can help people acquire needed equipment such as hearing devices, batteries and retention devices.