Inquire about having your child tested with one or more of the following screenings or tests. You may need to consult a pediatric otologist, neurotologist or otolaryngologist. When a behavioral hearing test is recommended, every effort should be made to find an audiologist with significant experience testing young children. Often, schools for deaf and hard of hearing children have audiologists on staff. Below are the different types of screenings and tests for babies and children.
Otoacoustic emissions are sounds produced by the normally functioning inner ear.
The OAE is typically used as a preliminary screening test. The procedure involves placing a small probe in the outer ear canal with the patient sitting still and quietly. A computer analyzes the emissions or lack thereof. This test does not require the child's active participation and usually takes about 15 minutes. This test consists of sounds that are presented to a child's ears through earphones.