Pediatric Audiology

One of the following or a combination of the following tests will be used with your child.  The Audiologist will choose the best test for your child based on their current developmental/cognitive level.  None of these tests cause discomfort for your child.

Your child will sit on your lap.  Sounds will be played through speakers or earphones and a toy will be shown to your child to teach him or her to respond in certain ways to the sound (e.g., a head turn).

Your child must be old enough to voluntary respond to a sound.  Sounds will be played through speakers or earphones.  Each time a child hears a sound, they are asked to drop a block in a bucket or put a peg in a peg-board.

Your child will be asked to raise their hand, clap their hands, or click a button in response to a sound.  Sounds will be played through earphones.

A special soft earplug is placed into the entrance of the ear canal.  A puff of air is blown into the air.  Movement of the eardrum is then measured with slight changes in the air pressure.

A special earplug is placed into the entrance of the ear canal.  A clicking sound is played and delivered into the ear and sound activity from the ear is recorded and analyzed on the computer.  Your child needs to be as quiet as possible for this test. No response is necessary from the patient for this testing.

Brain activity is measured when clicking sounds are presented through tiny earphones placed in/on your child’s ears.  Tiny electrodes or stickers are placed on your child’s forehead and earlobes or mastoids. The Audiologist records and analyzes your child’s responses while your child is asleep or is very still and relaxed.

Your child will be asked to point to pictures or repeat words upon request from the Audiologist to help determine the softest level at which the child can understand speech or to determine your child’s understanding of speech at a comfortable level.

Auditory processing is most simply defined as what the brain does with what the ears hear.  This includes several aspects of listening.  Your child will work with the Pediatric Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathologist and undergo a series of tests ranging from to determine how your child processes information.

If your child has difficulty following auditory directions, struggles in noisy situations, and has difficulty in school, auditory processing testing may be indicated.  This test may be the key in helping in your child succeed.


Visit North Carolina Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat for Cary audiology, Chapel Hill audiology, Durham audiology, and Roxboro audiology!