Pediatric audiology at Studer Family Children’s Hospital
Hearing loss can start anytime during childhood and can affect your child’s speech, language and social skills. If you think your child may have hearing loss, talk with a pediatric audiologist at Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart in Northwest Florida. Our pediatric audiologists have the expertise to diagnose and treat hearing loss and other hearing-related conditions in infants and children.
Diagnosing hearing loss and hearing-related conditions
Your child’s doctor starts by having a conversation with you. Tell us your concerns and ask us your questions – big and small. Your child’s doctor may recommend a series of hearing tests to help diagnose your child’s hearing condition. Our goal is to deliver the earliest possible detection and treatment to help your child hear. Pediatric hearing tests include:
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Auditory brainstem evolved response (ABR) testing
This hearing test looks for a specific pattern of brainwaves to detect the softest level of sound a child can hear. This test is used for children who have failed their newborn hearing screening or who are unable to complete behavioral testing.
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Behavioral audiometry
This test is used to detect the softest level of sound a child can hear across different frequencies and to speech. The method of testing may vary depending on the child's age and abilities.
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Extended high-frequency audiometry
This test is used to monitor the hearing of children who have been exposed to ototoxic medications (medications that can damage the ear), such as chemotherapy.
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Otoacoustic emissions testing
This is a hearing test used to measure how well the inner ear, known as the cochlea, is working.
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Tympanometry
This hearing test measures how well the middle ear, known as the tympanic membrane, is working.
Advanced hearing care for children
There are many different types of hearing devices for children. We work with you and your child to find the right hearing device. Types of hearing aids used for children include:
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Behind-the-ear digital hearing aids
Digital hearing aids are commonly recommended for many types of hearing loss.
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Bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA)
This is a hearing aid that is surgically implanted to help partially restore hearing.
Helping your child adjust to hearing aids
When a child is diagnosed with hearing loss and needs a device to help them hear, it can be an adjustment for your child and family. Your child’s care team is here to support you along the way. Your care team takes the time to explain how to use and clean your child’s hearing device. We also help your family understand how to help your child adjust to wearing a hearing aid.
If your child is experiencing speech and language delays due to their hearing loss, we connect you with specialists in speech-language pathology (speech therapy) at Studer Family Children’s Hospital. Speech therapists help your child so that they can communicate with those around them. Your child’s care team works together to deliver care that’s right for your child.