A few months ago, my 5 years old son suddenly complained about severe pain in his right ear when we were in the aquarium, and the pain has quickly become so severe that he was wailing inconsolably. When he was rushed to the hospital, the emergency doctor diagnosed him with otitis media(middle ear infections) and provided him with only pain relief, which reduced his pain significantly. When we got home, I did a hearing test on him and found that his hearing was still within normal range, which was assuring, knowing that the infections hadn’t affected his hearing.

As an audiologist(specialist in hearing) and a mother with young kids, I would like to talk about the importance of hearing tests for children in this blog.

Early Detection for Language Skills:
Early hearing tests can catch any issues that might hinder your child's ability to understand and use language. Detecting and addressing hearing loss early is essential in the language development of children hard of hearing.  Research has shown that even if the hearing loss is mild to moderate, language development is often severely impaired.

Guiding Medical Choices:
Hearing tests give important clues to doctors about what might be affecting your child's hearing, like my son’s example. If there's a problem like fluid in the ears, your healthcare team can tailor a plan, like suggesting a tympanostomy tube (grommet). This personalised approach ensures that any treatment is just right for your child, minimizing disruption to their daily life or unnecessary medications such as antibiotics or medical procedures.

Connecting Dots in Developmental Checks:
Healthcare practitioners such as paediatricians often include hearing tests as part of their routine checks, especially when looking into developmental concerns like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD). Hearing is like a window into understanding how your child engages with the world. By ruling out any hearing issues, doctors can focus on the bigger picture, making sure your child gets the support they need for healthy development.

 To arrange a mobile paediatric hearing test appointment in Sydney St George and Sutherland Shire area by a fully qualified audiologist(from $160),  please press the “CALL NOW” button. We look after you in the comfort of your home.