CCHP Hearing Screening

Pure tone play audiometry screening

What it is:

A Certified Audiometrist uses an audiometer, which plays beeping sounds through headphones. This helps find the quietest sound a child can hear at different pitches and frequencies. It is good for children ages 2-5.

How it's done:

• Your child wears headphones and listens for beeping sounds. 
• The audiometrist instructs the child to do an action each time they hear a sound. 
  • They might put a block in a box, put pegs in a hole, or put a ring on a cone. 
• Parents/guardians receive a letter with the screening results.
• If we find hearing problems or a child is unable to complete the screening, we will refer them for follow up.

Otoacoustic emission (OAE) hearing screen

What it is:

A Certified audiometrist uses an OAE machine to check the inner ear’s response to sound. This OAE screening detects if the middle ear is fully functioning.

How it's done: 

• The audiometrist places a soft foam earbud into your child’s ear.
• Your child will hear a series of sounds, while the machine records small echoes from the ear.
• Parents/guardians receive a letter with the screening results.
• If we find hearing problems or a child is unable to complete the screening, we will refer them for follow up.
• A OAE referral indicates further hearing evaluation is needed.

If a child does not pass it could be for various reasons:

• hearing loss
• wax present in the ears
• fluid or infection in the middle ear or a malformed inner ear