Pediatric Audiology Evaluations

Pediatric Audiometric Diagnostic Guidelines

All procedures refer to each ear individually; the numbers below represent the order in which the assessments are completed during testing.

Screening information, significant medical history, family history of hearing loss, and any parental concerns.

Observation of the outer ear and external ear canal as feasible.

Screening information, significant medical history, family history of hearing loInformation regarding middle ear status; high frequency probe tone should be used in children 6 months or younger. Include acoustic reflex testing.

(a) Click-evoked ABR at 80 dBnHL : Evaluates neural integrity and function; absolute, interpeak (I-III-V), and interaural latencies along with waveform morphology to evaluate neural integrity; reversal of signal polarity to help identify site of pathology.

b) Click-evoked ABR threshold search : Estimated hearing sensitivity at 2-4 kHz.

c) Low and high frequency (tone burst) ABRs : Estimated hearing sensitivity at both low and high frequencies; information can assist in selecting and fitting a hearing aid when one is warranted.

Provides further frequency-specific information; used to cross-check with the click-evoked and tone burst ABR results.

If any of the above procedures indicate disorder, additional procedures that need to be completed are:

More comprehensive than may have been done initially.

Establishes the type of hearing loss.

Hearing thresholds to confirm the physiological findings above.

Evaluate middle ear status; low frequency probe tone may be used with children older than 6 months of age.

Hearing thresholds to confirm the physiological findings above.

When there is an indication of disorder, the follow-up procedures below need to be conducted at intervals recommended by the pediatric audiologist. The procedures below are appropriate for children who are 6-8 months of age or older and not exclusive to additional follow-up procedures and/or recommendations identified by the pediatric audiologist.

Hearing thresholds to confirm the physiological findings above.

Evaluate middle ear status; low frequency probe tone may be used with children older than 6 months of age.