What you need to know
What to expect at your appointment
Once an appointment is made in our clinic, an email confirmation is issued, then a reminder text message is sent to you the day before your appointment. Parking is available at the clinic as well as street parking in front of the clinic. There is also a City of Perth car park across the road. When you arrive, you will be directed to the waiting area where toys are available to keep your little one occupied! Once you sign a Consent Form, our Paediatric Audiologist will take you through to our Audiologic booth room to discuss your child’s hearing. The more information we have, the better we can understand your child’s hearing assessment needs.
What to Expect from a Diagnostic Assessment
What type of hearing assessment does my infant/child need?
The type of hearing assessment required will depend on your child’s needs. There are a number of ways to check the different parts of the ear and measure your child’s hearing. These include:
+ Tympanogram
measures the air pressure in the ear canal and movement of the eardrum. A small, soft, earphone-like insert is placed in the child’s ear. This test only takes a few minutes and results are available immediately.
+ Otoscopy
allows the Audiologist to look inside the ear and provides valuable information about what’s going on in and around the ear drum. The probe of the otoscope is placed inside your child’s ear – this is a painless and simple procedure. This test only takes a few minutes and results are available immediately.
+ Visual Reinforced Orientation Audiometry
this is a fun test for your child! Sitting either on your lap or independently, your child will have sounds presented to them through speakers. Puppets will then provide a visual reward when your child turns in the direction of the sound.
We allow an hour for this test as its important your child is happy and comfortable throughout. Results are available immediately although there are times when a second visit is necessary to get all the results we need. All of this will be discussed with you at the time.
+ Full Paediatric Hearing Assessment
we allow an hour for this test as it is important that your child is happy and comfortable throughout. Results are available immediately although there are times when a second visit is necessary to get all the results we need. All of this will be discussed with you at your appointment.
+ Infant Diagnostic Hearing Assessment
this test is for your newborn if they have returned a second REFER result in their newborn hearing screen. Your baby will sleep while the Audiologist places the stickers/sensors onto baby’s head and small headphones in their ears. The equipment measures your baby’s response to the sound and the Audiologist will determine the level of your baby’s hearing.
This test can take 1 to 3 hours as this allows enough time for your baby to settle and sleep. Results are available immediately and depending on the outcome, the Audiologist will discuss what happens next.
What you need to know about paediatric hearing loss
If your baby passed their newborn hearing screen, then they have adequate hearing to develop speech and language. It’s important to remember that sometimes things change - hearing loss can develop during the first few years of life, so annual tests are recommended.
If you notice any of the following, then a hearing test should be a priority:
Slow, limited, poor or no speech
Frequently inattentive
Difficulty learning
Needs the TV turned up
Doesn’t respond when called by name
Easily frustrated when there’s lots of background noise
The following could be signs of infection:
Ear tugging
Difficulty sleeping
Ear fluid or pus
Irritable – crying or fussing more than usual
Fever
Difficulty hearing
Diarrhea, vomiting, and/or reduced appetite
It’s not uncommon for children to have several ear infections per year. If any of the symptoms noted above persist, then contact your GP.