A child's hearing test is quick and painless. The method we use depends on their age and development:
- Babies and toddlers are tested using an automated OAE (otoacoustic emissions) response test, which requires no input from the child.
- Younger children do “listen and respond” games — visual reinforcement audiometry, or play audiometry where they drop a block in a bucket every time they hear a sound.
- Older children wear headphones and press a button, just like an adult test.
The whole thing usually takes about 20 minutes, and we give parents a written result on the day.