Specialties & ConditionsAudiology Hearing Testing
Hearing Testing
Hearing can be assessed at any age. A hearing evaluation may be recommended as a result of:
- Parent/caregiver concern for hearing or speech-language development
- Missed or failed newborn hearing screening
- Failed school hearing screening
- Referral from primary care physician
- Referral from therapist
- Risk factors for hearing loss present in child’s medical history
Below please find a list of the types of diagnostic hearing tests available through our facility.
Newborn Hearing Screening Appointment Guidance
Below you will find information about what to expect during your child’s Newborn Hearing Screening appointment with Lurie Children’s Audiology, as well as tips to help you prepare.
The measure used to screen your child’s hearing is called an Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR). It checks your child’s brain response to sound. The test is done on infants and children too young or unable to complete a standard hearing test. Your child will not feel anything during this test.
The test will be done while your child is sleeping. Small stickers will be placed on your child’s forehead, shoulder, and back of their neck. Earphones will be placed around their ears.
While your child is sleeping, sounds will be played through the earphones. The stickers will record your child’s brain responses to the sound which will be recorded on the computer.
The AABR test will be completed while your child is naturally asleep. It is important to bring your child to the appointment sleepy and hungry. You will have time to feed your child and get them asleep prior to testing. You may bring any comfort items (swaddle or blanket, pacifiers, or nursing pillows) to help with sleep and make your child comfortable.
Testing is scheduled for one hour. The Audiologist will explain the results to you and discuss recommendations.
Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Testing
The ABR test can be used to measure hearing loss. It checks your child’s brain response to sound. The test is done on infants and children too young or unable to complete a standard hearing test. Your child will not feel anything during this test.
The test will be done while your child is sleeping.
Small stickers will be placed on your child’s forehead and around their ears. Earphones will then be placed in or over the ears.
While your child is sleeping, sounds will be played through the earphones. The stickers will record your child’s brain responses to the sound which will be recorded on the computer.
A natural sleep ABR is typically done on newborns up to 5 months of age. Around 6 months of age children do not usually sleep as soundly, and it becomes difficult to obtain a complete ABR test.
An ABR under general anesthesia is completed in the Operating Room while your child is asleep. The medical team will give the medication and monitor your child during the testing.
If your child is under 5 months of age, the ABR test will be completed while they are naturally asleep. It is important to bring your child to the appointment sleepy and hungry. You will have time to feed your child and get them asleep prior to testing. You may bring any comfort items (swaddle or blanket, pacifiers, or nursing pillows) to help with sleep and make your child comfortable.
If your child is older than 5 months of age, you will be given instructions when scheduling the test.
ABR testing can last from 1 to 2 hours. The test results will be read by the Audiologist. The Audiologist will then explain the results to you and discuss recommendations.
Behavioral Testing
This type of testing is completed in a sound booth and relies on a child’s behavioral responses to sound. The audiologist will choose the appropriate test method based on a child’s age and developmental level. For younger children, a trained audiology assistant will be present in the sound booth.
Make an Appointment
We offer easy online scheduling for your child's audiology needs.