A hearing test can sound like a serious appointment for a little person. At Sound Audiology, it often involves colourful shapes, a game and plenty of conversation.
The toys in this photo are part of play audiometry. We teach a child to do a simple action each time they hear a sound, such as placing a shape in a board or dropping a toy into a container. By presenting different sounds and watching their responses, we can learn more about what they can hear.
That is where Chantel shines. She has the gift of the gab and a wonderful way of chatting with children, making them feel comfortable and turning the task into a game. She takes time to build trust, explain things in words they understand and keep them engaged throughout the appointment.
“Play audiometry turns listening for sounds into a simple, engaging game.”
You might notice that your child often asks “what?”, turns up the television, seems to miss instructions or has difficulty hearing at childcare or school. Speech and language concerns, recurring ear infections or a teacher’s observation can also be reasons to check their hearing.
Sometimes hearing difficulties are temporary, such as when fluid is sitting behind the eardrum. A hearing assessment helps us understand what is happening and whether any follow-up is needed.
We choose the tests that suit your child’s age and development. Alongside play audiometry where appropriate, we may look in their ears and assess how their middle ears are working. We explain the results clearly and talk through the next step with you.
Children do not need to get everything “right” or sit perfectly still for us to start learning about their hearing. Our aim is to make the experience positive while gathering the most useful information we can.
Have a question about your child’s hearing? Contact Sound Audiology to discuss the right appointment for them.
