Temporary hearing loss

When is hearing loss diagnosed?

Hearing loss can be diagnosed at any age. For infants and children with ear infections or middle ear fluid, the hearing will be tested as part of the evaluation and treatment of the middle ear infections.

How is hearing loss diagnosed?
In addition to taking a complete medical history and physical examination, your child's physician will inspect the outer ear(s) and eardrum(s) using an otoscope, which is a lighted instrument that allows the physician to see inside the ear. The doctor may also blow a puff of air into the ear to make sure your child’s eardrum is moving correctly.

There are many ways to test a child's hearing, depending on the age and health of your child. The Diagnostic Audiology Program performs the following tests:

• Auditory Brain Stem Response (ABR) test
• Regular (Behavioral) Audiological Evaluation
• Auditory Processing
• Tympanometry
• Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs)

After all necessary hearing tests are completed, the otolaryngologist (ENT physician) and the audiologist (the person who test your child’s hearing) will discuss the results with you and outline the best treatment options for your child.