Would you like us to assess your child’s hearing?

One of our Certified Pediatric Audiologists can help.

Little Ears

Did you know that children of any age can have their hearing tested?

Even newborns have their hearing assessed using tests soon after birth.

Our audiologists have developed a specialty in Pediatric Audiology, both in diagnostics, and in fitting hearing aids and personal FM/DM systems on children. We work closely with audiologists based at local hospitals and health centres.

Hearing tests should be part of children’s regular medical examination.

Milestones for Hearing Development

0-4 months

Your child should startle to sudden or loud sounds.

3-6 months

Your child should begin to recognize familiar voices and will be starting to make their own sounds.

6-12 months

Your child should be babbling and beginning to understand common words and expressions (e.g., bye-bye).

12-18 months

Your child should begin to use words to communicate, even if they are not clear. Your child should understand simple questions (e.g., where is your nose?)

2 years

Your child’s vocabulary should be increasing and they should be saying some 2 word sentences (e.g., more juice). They should also be understanding simple directions (e.g., get your blanket)

What are some signs that may suggest your child has hearing loss?

Failure to startle to loud sounds
Lack of normal responses to sound: e.g., not responding to their own name by 6 months of age
Speech and language delay
Physical ear deformities
Inability to localize sounds
Chronic ear infections

What if my child is diagnosed with hearing loss?

Your audiologist will help plan the next step, which may be a referral to your doctor for a medical problem or a hearing aid trial for your child
Your child will be referred to an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist
Hearing aids and/or a personal FM system may be recommended
Hearing aids will be appropriately programmed based on your child’s hearing loss
Follow-up appointments will be scheduled regularly:

Every 3 months up to 3 years of age
Every 6-12 months over the age of 3