Your Child’s First Hearing Test

Your Child’s
First Hearing Test

WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW

Bikash, “Arrey Apurba da, what’s up?”

Apurba, “Bikash! I’m good, thanks. I want to ask you about something.”

Bikash, “Sure, please ask.”

Apurba, “Well, I think my son is having hearing issues. I’m a bit tense.”

Bikash, “Ah, don’t worry. Your child’s first hearing test shouldn’t be much of a problem. It’s painless. You know my son Abhik, right? I guess you didn’t know he had the same problem a couple of years back. I took him to CC Saha Clinic. They did some basic tests and put a hearing aid.”

Apurba, “Really? I just saw him running up the stairs and he didn’t seem to have any hearing aid.”

Bikash, “Don’t worry, mate. The hearing aids these days are so small and fit into the ears just like those mobile earpods. You really can’t make them out.”

Babies begin developing their hearing abilities even before they are born.

It’s pretty amazing right?

By the time they make their grand entrance into the world, their little ears are already quite advanced. They can hear and respond to sounds around them. But their hearing doesn’t stop evolving there, it keeps getting better as they grow up.

As your baby grows, you’ll notice the changes in their hearing development. For instance, they’ll start turning their head towards sounds, responding to their name, and eventually, learn to understand and produce speech. Each of these stages is super important for their language and communication skills.

As parents, you should be vigilant. Check if your child isn’t responding to sounds, or if their speech and language development seem to be delayed. You may feel that they even have trouble following simple instructions. If you observe any of these signs, consider having it checked out. Getting to know and addressing hearing issues early can make a big difference in your child’s development.

Preparing for Your Child's First Hearing Test

Creating a Positive Environment for Testing

When preparing your child for their first hearing test, it’s important to create a positive and comfortable environment. You can do this by explaining the process in a playful way, bringing familiar items, like toys, to the appointment, and making sure your child is well-rested and fed before the test.

Some common things that you could do at home before taking your child to the audiologist:

Desensitize their ears: Before your child’s audiology appointment, desensitize their ears by gently touching them. In the days leading up to the appointment, play a game of pretend ear doctor with your child. And pretend to take a look inside their ear to make the experience less daunting.
Headphones or earbuds: Help your child get used to wearing headphones or earbuds, as it will make the audiology exam more effective. This allows the audiologist to get ear-specific information. In the days leading up to the appointment, familiarise your child with headphones or earbuds.
Repeating word cues: Encourage your child to repeat words by showing them familiar objects, such as saying “Say dog. Say spoon. Say cup.” If they are too young to repeat words, you can ask them, “Where is your arm? Where is your head?” to help them focus on listening.
Conditioned play activity: Practice conditioned play activities to prepare your child for testing. For example, coordinate your child’s play with a sound by asking them to wait for you to say “beep” before putting each block in the bucket while cleaning up their blocks.

What to Expect During the Test

As a parent, you should be aware what to expect during your child’s first hearing test. Have an idea about the different types of tests, such as auditory brainstem response (ABR) or otoacoustic emissions (OAE), and how they are conducted. You need to read and educate yourself about these primary tests. Please it is cardinal for you to not panic in front of your child at the clinic.

Some common tests:

Visual Reinforcement Audiometry: The technique, which is specially meant for young children, entails teaching a child to react to noises associated with toys that light up.
Play Audiometry: This is a fun method to test your child auditory responses. This is specially made for young children starting at age three, prompts a child to do a certain action—often as part of an entertaining game—every time they hear a sound.
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE): Naturally occurring sounds are known as otoacoustic emissions or OAEs. This examination evaluates inner ear function and looks for auditory or hearing problems. It is frequently used to screen both newborns and individuals who might have difficulty with more conventional hearing tests.
Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): An audiologist places small earphones in the child’s ears and soft electrodes (small sensor stickers) near the ears and on the forehead. Clicking sounds and tones go through the earphones, and electrodes measure how the hearing nerves and brain respond to the sounds.

Choosing the Right Professional

Choosing the appropriate audiologist or hearing healthcare specialist is paramount for your child’s well-being. At CC Saha Clinics, our professionals boast extensive experience in working with children, possess specialized pediatric testing equipment, and maintain a family-oriented approach. It’s crucial to select an audiologist who genuinely enjoys working with children, especially considering that children with auditory impairments may already face communication challenges.

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The Hearing Test Process Explained

What Happens During the Test

During your child’s first hearing test, the audiologist will do several assessments to evaluate their hearing. They might perform behavioural observation audiometry, where the child’s responses to sounds are observed, or objective tests like ABR or OAE. All tests are done keeping the child playful and cooperative. Slight discomfort or situational unfamiliarity may upset your child. So parents need to be at their best at distracting and pacifying their child so that the tests are done accurately.

You should check out the list of audiometry tests done on children and understand the pros and cons of each test very clearly. Better understanding will make you more confident.

Interpreting the Results

Understanding the Audiogram: An audiogram is a graphical representation depicting your child’s hearing capabilities at various frequencies. Your audiologist will interpret the audiogram, aiding your comprehension of any potential hearing impairment in your child and assisting you in determining the most suitable course of treatment.

You should know what normal hearing looks like. This knowledge allows you to recognize your child’s strengths and with professional help at CC Saha Clinics you will be pointed at areas where they might need extra support.

Interpreting the Results

Next Steps after Your Child's First Hearing Test

Moving Forward with Confidence

If the test shows that your child’s hearing is normal, celebrate and continue to support their development. Keep monitoring their hearing health as they grow.

Seeking Further Evaluation

If the test results raise concerns, it’s important to seek further evaluation and treatment. This could involve more testing, consulting specialists, and considering options like hearing aids or therapy.

Speech Therapy & Psychometric Test

The audiologist might also suggest speech therapy or psychometric tests to gain a thorough understanding of your child’s abilities and limitations, particularly in communication skills, to help chart a clear path forward.

Supporting Your Child's Hearing Health

Creating a Hearing-Friendly Home

Minimize background noise, use visual cues and gestures to supplement communication, and talk openly with your child about their hearing needs. They must understand their limitations early, so that they can make a smooth transition into the therapy sessions and adapt to life with hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Encouraging Language Development

Since language development is linked to hearing, support your child’s language skills from an early age. Read books, sing songs, and engage in interactive play that promotes communication.

Navigating Hearing Aid Options

Exploring Paediatric Hearing Aids

Should your child require hearing aids, at CC Saha Hearing Clinics there are several different models and make across price ranges to choose from. These include behind-the-ear (BTE) or Receiver-in-canal (RIC) models equipped with water resistance, Bluetooth connectivity, and noise-cancelling technologies. State-of-the-art hearing aid models from leading brands now incorporate rechargeable features, streamlining the battery replacement process for added convenience.

Ensuring Comfort and Effectiveness

Ensure your child’s hearing aids provide comfort and efficacy through accurate fitting and consistent upkeep. Consider consulting with an audiologist to secure an optimal fit and acquire guidance on device maintenance for optimal performance.

Embracing Your Child's Hearing Journey

Celebrating Diversity

Every child’s hearing journey is unique. Celebrate and embrace their individual experiences, encouraging them to be proud of who they are. You being parents must support them through the challenges and triumphs.

Building Resilience

Assist your child in cultivating confidence, self-advocacy, and problem-solving abilities. Empower them to take proactive steps toward maintaining their hearing health and standing up for their requirements across various settings.

Keep in mind that your child’s hearing journey has just begun. Persist in monitoring their auditory health, taking care of what is necessary, and fostering their holistic well-being as they develop and flourish.

Although hearing loss poses certain limitations, it constitutes just a part of your child’s overall welfare. Dedicate your efforts to cultivating their strengths, making them confident, and aiding them in achieving their full potential across all facets of life.

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At C.C. Saha Ltd., we provide a comprehensive range of hearing solutions that include the testing of a patient’s ability to detect tones at different frequencies. Our highly skilled Audiologists conduct a thorough examination, taking into account the patient’s hearing loss history, lifestyle choices, and needs, and then recommend the best possible hearing solution.

We are present across the city of Kolkata, at Esplanade, Prince Anwar Shah Road, Dunlop, Salt Lake, and Barasat. We also have clinics at Midnapore and Burdwan.

The Link between Severe Hearing Loss and Increased Loneliness

Research shows that social isolation and loneliness significantly affect the health and well-being of older adults. These conditions not only increase mortality rates but also lead to higher healthcare costs. Hearing loss is a key issue among older adults, making communication and social interactions difficult, which contributes to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Addressing hearing loss is crucial for supporting the mental and physical well-being of older adults.

July 19, 2024

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Top 10 Tips to Improve Listening Skills

Despite the challenges, discussing hearing loss with family is essential. It’s a daunting task, but starting this conversation can lead to better understanding and support. If needed, seek help from the person you trust most.

July 6, 2024

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How to discuss hearing loss with family?

June 23, 2024

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Maintaining Hearing Aids in Summer

Summer is a time for fun in the sun, but this season’s extreme heat, loo winds, and occasional downpours, sweat and dust can pose challenges for hearing aid users.
But don’t worry – with a few simple steps, you can keep your hearing aids working perfectly all summer long. Let’s delve into some easy and effective tips for maintaining hearing aids in the summer heat!

June 3, 2024

Cochlear Implants

As we navigate through the intricacies of hearing loss, it becomes evident that the quest for a transformative solution has been ongoing for centuries. Enter Cochlear Implants—a ground-breaking innovation that stands at the forefront of auditory restoration.

May 20, 2024

Understanding Hearing Loss

Shockingly, a staggering 63 million people in India struggle with significant hearing loss, and only 1 in 40 seek professional help due to social stigmas and a lack of understanding about treatment options. This underscores the importance of raising awareness and improving access to treatment for all.

April 28, 2024

References

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