‌Pure Tone Audiometry - Screening Test

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A hearing screening test will help to identify any possible hearing loss. It gives a basic idea of the child’s hearing ability in both ears. If a hearing difficulty is observed a referral can be made by a GP to an audiologist for a more thorough hearing examination.

The child sits in a quiet room and puts on headphones that are linked to an audiometer. This is a device that sends sounds of different volumes and pitches to one ear at a time. The child is instructed to respond each time they hear a sound, by raising their hand or by doing something with a toy, for example, drop a block in a bucket. The test results are recorded on a form, which will be explained by the speech and language therapist. The form includes a table that shows the different frequencies or pitches the child can hear.  If a child is identified as having a hearing difficulty the child’s parents will be informed. They will be given a copy of the results to bring to their GP who can make a referral to an audiologist if requested. The child will no longer take part in the study.