Undetected hearing loss can have major impacts on a child’s overall communication skills and development. This can influence how a child learns in various environments, how they maintain rewarding social experiences, and how they express their emotions.
East Coast Hearing provides hearing tests for children as well as specialized auditory processing disorder (APD) testing. Our hearing tests are performed by our experienced audiologists using the latest equipment and procedures. Following the test, we explain the results in a manner that is easily understood.
A Robust and Effective Hearing Process
East Coast Hearing provides its young clients and their parents with a robust, effective, and efficient hearing testing procedure:
- A detailed case history is performed (i.e. relevant medical history).
- Next we measure how your child's eardrums move in response to sound and changing air pressure.
- We place headphones on your child in a sound treated room and measure the softest level they can detect sounds of various pitch (250-8000 Hz).
- We measure how clearly your child hears words in a quiet environment.
- We measure how your child hears in the presence of background noise.
- All of the results are explained to you in a clear and concise way along with our recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Children's Hearing Aid Testing
1. At what age(s) should you have your child's hearing tested?
Infant hearing screening is performed in hospitals on all newborns at their time of birth. The youngest we are able to test must be enrolled in pre-primary. We recommend a baseline assessment for children prior to entering the schooling system (e.g., primary) to ensure optimal success in the classroom.
2. How much does a hearing test cost at East Coast Hearing?
We charge $120 (ages 4-11) or $80 (ages 12+) for a thorough hearing evaluation.
3. Will my medical insurance cover the fee?
Many plans do cover Audiology Services. However, we do not direct bill to your insurance for hearing testing. We provide you with a detailed receipt so that, if appropriate, you can claim this yourself.
4. Do I need a referral to book my hearing test?
No, you can self-refer to any of our clinics.
5. How long is a hearing test?
Depending upon the patient, and the requirement for the hearing test, an evaluation can take anywhere from 30-45 minutes. Typically, we book 60 minutes so that there is ample time to explain the results, provide counselling and recommendations, and address any questions or concerns patients and their families may have.