Service
Paediatric Hearing Care
Hearing assessment for babies, toddlers and school-age children using play audiometry, visual reinforcement and objective testing when needed.
About this service
A child who cannot hear cannot learn language at the normal pace, and the earlier that is corrected the better the outcome. Our paediatric room is set up for children rather than adapted for them, with play toys, children's headphones and a team used to working at a child's speed.
How we test depends on age. Babies are assessed objectively with tympanometry and brainstem evoked response audiometry while they sleep. Toddlers are tested with visual reinforcement audiometry. Older children respond through structured play, dropping a ring on a peg each time they hear a tone.
Parents stay in the room throughout, and we explain the findings, the likely cause and the next step, whether that is medical treatment for glue ear, a hearing aid fitting, or a review in a few months.
What the appointment includes
- Play audiometry and visual reinforcement audiometry
- Tympanometry to detect glue ear and middle-ear fluid
- Brainstem evoked response audiometry for infants and unresponsive children
- School and speech-therapy reports on request
- Paediatric hearing aid fitting and follow-up
Diagnostics
Tests used in this service
Paediatric Hearing Assessment
Age appropriate testing for babies and children, using play, toys and visual rewards to obtain reliable thresholds long before a child can describe what they hear.
Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry
An objective test of the hearing nerve and brainstem pathway. Small surface electrodes record the brain's automatic response to sound while the patient rests or sleeps quietly.
Explore
Other services at the centre
Diagnostic Hearing Assessment
A full audiological work-up: history, otoscopy, pure tone audiometry, speech testing and tympanometry, explained to you the same day.
Hearing Aid Fitting and Verification
Selection, programming and verified fitting of Starkey hearing aids, with follow-up appointments to settle the prescription over the first months.
Hearing Aid Repairs, Servicing and Supplies
In-house cleaning, tubing and receiver replacement, re-programming, manufacturer repairs, and Starkey batteries and accessories held in stock.