Expert Testing For Hearing and Balance Issues

Audiology is the study of hearing, balance and related issues. Audiologists are doctors specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders that affect hearing and balance. 

Your child may need an audiologist for several reasons, including: 

• Newborn does not pass the initial hearing screening given at the hospital 
• Limited speech by toddler age 
• Learning difficulties 
• Irritability due to background noises 
• Abnormal dizziness 
• Difficulty hearing at normal sound levels 

If your child needs to see an audiologist, you can gain peace of mind knowing that our specialists have the skill and compassion to provide you and your child with the best possible care using the most advanced technology.  

What can you expect?

Our hearing specialists understand that every child who comes to Randall Children’s Hospital for a hearing test is unique. We take the time to get to know your family and respect your concerns. If treatment is needed, we’ll talk with your child’s pediatrician, medical specialist or school personnel to develop a plan that has your child’s best interests in mind. 
Your child’s pediatrician or specialist will let you know the type of hearing test your child needs. We will explain the procedure in careful detail so that you are comfortable. 

We provide a full range of evaluations. Among these: 

Behavioral Hearing Testing: For those children who are old enough to respond to sounds by turning their head, playing a game, raising their hand, or repeating words.These include:

• Visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA) 
• Conditioned play audiometry (CPA) 
• Standard audiometry (pressing a button or raising your hand after hearing a tone)
• Speech audiometry, including word recognition testing

Physiologic Tests: For those who are unable to perform a behavioral test, or when we need to double check the behavioral responses against a more objective test. These include:

• Otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs and DPOAEs)
• Middle ear studies, such as tympanometry and acoustic reflex testing
• Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR or BAER) under natural sleep. This is a hearing test done while the patient is sleeping using surface electrodes on the skin. Testing is painless and usually takes about 1-2 hours depending on how well the child/infant sleeps. This is typically completed for infants from birth to about 3 to 4 months of age.
• Sedated Auditory Brainstem Response Evaluation. If the child is not able to sleep naturally or cannot complete behavioral testing, sedation can be given by an anesthesiologist so ABR testing may be completed. This typically is not done until at least 6 months of age and older, and only after the pediatrician, parents and audiologist find it to be the best option.

In addition to testing, we offer family education regarding hearing loss prevention and management. Our audiologists fit conventional and bone anchored hearing aids from birth to 21 years of age.  

What happens next?

Hearing Aid Evaluation, Fitting and Management

If your child is diagnosed with hearing loss, the first important step toward heearing health will be having your infant or child fitted for hearing aids. 

• Our audiologists fit conventional and bone anchored hearing from birth to 21 years of age. 
• We offer Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) with our speech therapist. This therapy is for young children who are deaf and hard of hearing. The LSL approach focuses on several main principles, some of which include early detection of hearing loss, appropriate and early amplification (like hearing aids) and family-centered intervention. With the right supports, children who are deaf have potential in learning to talk, listen and participate in mainstream school and society. 

We will do our very best to provide you with easy to understand information for making the best decisions about your child’s treatment.  

We can coordinate all aspects of care, from inpatient through outpatient.  We work collaboratively with families, medical homes providers, physicians, interdisciplinary clinics and outside parties such as community-based intervention and educational programs. 

View our locations & providers

Resources

• Oregon Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
• Oregon Early Detention and Intervention Program (NCHAM National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management by state)
• Boystown National Research Hospital