Welcome to Ascent ENT Specialty Center, where we are dedicated to ensuring your child’s hearing health is in safe hands. Today, let’s talk about something incredibly important for your child’s development—hearing tests for newborns and kids and why early detection is essential.
Why Is Hearing Important?
Hearing is an essential sense for a child’s complete development. This enables the child to learn to talk, communicate, and form relationships. Untreated hearing loss in a child can hamper that development by affecting language acquisition, social skills, and even academic performance. For this reason, early detection and management of hearing impairment are of utmost importance.
When Should You Test Your Child’s Hearing?
Did you know hearing screening should begin as early as birth? Newborn hearing screening is one of the most critical first steps in a baby’s health journey. It’s recommended to test a newborn’s hearing within the first month of life. If any issues are found, further testing can be done by three months, and treatment can start immediately after. At Ascent ENT Specialty Center in Dubai, we offer comprehensive newborn hearing screening services. Our Audiology Department is equipped with advanced tools and expertise to ensure your baby’s hearing is tested accurately and comfortably.
Types of Hearing Tests for Children
1. Otoacoustic Emission (OAE)
The OAE test for children is quick, easy, and perfect for their young age. It is where your baby’s inner ear, the cochlea, is examined to determine if it is functioning as it should. The earphone is a small device that your baby uses to send the sound to the inner ear, and the soft sounds are played in it.
2. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)
ABR human body is also a typical test to get babies and young kids, especially if OAE results show loss of hearing. This is a hearing test designed to gauge the brain’s response to sound. Your baby is put to sleep during these tests. The technician first attaches small electrodes to your baby’s head and then produces the sound through the earphones to measure brainwave activity in response to the sounds.
3. Free-Field Audiometry
For kids a bit older, we use free-field audiometry. This test aims to check how a child responds to sound in a fun way that keeps them engaged. We play sounds in a room that blocks outside noise, and we watch how the child reacts to different tones and volumes.
4. Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA)
Pure tone audiometry works for children old enough to respond to sounds. This test measures how well a child can hear tones at different pitches and volumes. During the test, the child puts on headphones and listens to sounds. We ask them to lift their hand, push a button, or give a signal when they hear a sound. PTA helps us figure out the type and severity of hearing loss.
5. Tympanometry
Tympanometry checks the state of the middle ear. It helps us spot problems like fluid buildup, ear infections, or issues with the eardrum. For this test, we put a small probe in the child’s ear to measure how the eardrum reacts to small changes in air pressure. Tympanometry is fast, doesn’t hurt, and gives us valuable insights into your child’s ear health.
By offering all these advanced tests, we ensure that your child receives the most accurate diagnosis and personalized care at Ascent TNT Specialty Center
Why is Newborn hearing screening so important?
Newborn hearing screening is essential because most babies with hearing loss are born to families with or without a history of hearing problems. Early detection allows us to begin treatment or rehabilitation before speech and language development are affected.
Missing this window can lead to delays in language, communication, and even cognitive development. At Ascent, we emphasize the importance of this screening because it’s quick, painless, and can make a lifetime of difference for your child.
What Happens If a Problem Is Detected?
Don’t panic! If we find any issues during the screening, further tests will confirm the diagnosis. Based on the results, our team will discuss treatment options, which could include hearing aids, cochlear implants, or speech therapy. Remember, early intervention is the key to helping your child thrive.
How Often Should Kids Have Hearing Tests?
Even if your baby passes the newborn screening, regular hearing tests are essential. Regular testing is especially important if your child has risk factors like a family history of hearing loss, frequent ear infections, or developmental delays.
Why Choose Ascent TNT Specialty Center?
At Ascent, our Audiology Department specializes in hearing care for children. From newborn hearing screenings to pediatric hearing tests, we provide all the services needed to ensure your child’s hearing is monitored and managed effectively.
Take the First Step Today!
Don’t wait to ensure your child’s hearing health is on track. Early detection of hearing problems can change your child’s life, helping them develop language, communication, and social skills naturally.
Visit us at Ascent ENT Specialty Center in Dubai to schedule your child’s hearing test today. We’re here to help every step of the way!