What Should Happen During a Pediatric Hearing Test? A Guide for Parents

Published on November 3, 2026

Have you ever wondered whether your child is choosing not to listen to you or if they simply cannot hear you clearly? Good hearing is important to a child’s health, since it supports speech, language, and social development. Identifying concerns early can help children receive treatment when it matters most.

A hearing test for kids is a simple, painless way to learn how well your child hears. This article outlines what parents can expect during a pediatric hearing evaluation, including the types of tests commonly used by hearing professionals to assess hearing ability across age groups.

Key Takeaways

• Early detection of hearing loss supports speech, language, and social development.
• Hearing tests vary based on the child’s age and developmental stage.
• If you notice signs of hearing loss in your child, schedule a hearing evaluation.

What Parents Should Know About Pediatric Hearing Tests

If you’ve ever wondered at what age your kids should get a hearing test, you can never start too early. National guidelines recommend screening newborns by no later than 1 month.

A hearing test for kids is tailored to a child’s age and developmental stage. Babies may sleep while an audiologist performs a test of their hearing. Toddlers may turn toward sound and visual cues. Older children often respond to sounds through play-based activities.

Parents should share any hearing concerns, medical history, or changes in school performance with their audiologist. If you notice a change in your child’s hearing or communication, schedule a hearing evaluation.

What Are the Signs of Hearing Loss in Children?

Signs your kid may have hearing loss include:

• Difficulty hearing conversations
• Non-reactivity to loud noises
• Delayed speech and language development
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
• Trouble following simple directions
• Asking “What?” or “Huh?” often
• Struggling in school

Tests Vary by Age and Developmental Stage

A hearing test for kids can vary depending on their age and developmental stage. A typical hearing evaluation for adults requires them to respond when they hear a sound. This is known as pure tone audiometry. Yet for children under the age of five, they are either unable to respond, or their responses are not very reliable.

These hearing tests help audiologists produce the most accurate hearing results for children. In most cases, an audiologist will also use tympanometry, a device that alters the air pressure inside the ear to assess eardrum and middle ear function.

Newborn (0–1 month)

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) — Since a newborn is unable to respond to a behavioral test, a small OAE speaker is placed in their ear canal and plays soft tones. The tool measures the echo, since a healthy inner ear echoes when stimulated by sound. If no echo is recorded, this informs the audiologist that there may be a blockage or hearing loss.

Infant (1–12 months)

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) — This is a safe, painless procedure to assess an infant’s hearing while they lie down. Electrodes that emit sound are placed on their head while a computer records how the brain responds to audio input. This helps the audiologist identify any functional issues with the auditory neural pathway.

Toddler (1–3 years)

Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) — As a toddler sits, soft sounds are emitted from either side of them while visual animations or toys light up simultaneously. Once the child learns to turn with the visual stimulation, the visual cue is delayed, and just the sound is played. The audiologist can then track when the child turns toward the sound and at what sound levels and frequencies.

Preschool (3–5 years)

Play Audiometry — This is a fun hearing test designed for kids. Typically, the child plays a game such as placing a peg on a pegboard, completing a puzzle, or stacking rings. They simultaneously listen to sounds on a headphone and are invited to clap or perform an action when they hear a sound.

Child (5+ years)

Conventional Audiometry — Once a child is the age of five, they receive a test similar to adults, since their responses are now more reliable. The child will usually wear headphones and let the audiologist know when they hear a sound by pressing a button or raising their hand.

Quick Answers About Hearing Tests for Kids

How do I test my kids’ hearing?

You can test your child’s hearing by scheduling a comprehensive hearing evaluation with an audiologist. They can provide you with an in-depth assessment of their hearing, determine potential causes, and recommend treatment solutions. According to the CDC, about 1 in 500 infants experience hearing loss. Schedule an appointment to determine whether your child could benefit from hearing care.

What are the signs that a child has hearing problems?

Some common signs that a child has hearing problems include difficulty understanding conversations, not responding to loud noises, and speech development delay. Early detection of hearing loss in children is essential for speech and language development. Research shows that untreated hearing loss in children may lead to long-term academic, social, and emotional challenges. Schedule a kid’s hearing check to get an accurate assessment and recommendations regarding the care they may need.

What is the difference between a hearing screening and a full hearing evaluation?

A hearing screening is a simple test to determine whether hearing loss is present, typically performed by a pediatrician, while a hearing evaluation is a more comprehensive assessment performed by an audiologist. A hearing evaluation can provide you with information on the type of hearing loss, potential causes, and solutions. A recent study showed that about 11% of children ages six to 19 have some degree of hearing loss. If you are unsure whether your child has hearing loss, schedule an appointment with an audiologist for a children’s hearing evaluation.

How do audiologists test hearing in toddlers who can’t follow instructions?

Audiologists can test hearing in children with visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA) and play audiometry. Through positive reinforcement, visual cues, and games, a child is trained to respond to sounds in a fun way that keeps them engaged. Unaddressed hearing loss is associated with limited access to education and employment. No matter the age of the child, an audiologist for kids can provide an accurate assessment of your child’s hearing.

References

• Humes L. Audiograms and Prevalence of Hearing Loss in U.S. Children and Adolescents 6–19 Years of Age. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 2024. https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2024_JSLHR-24-00050. Accessed September 3, 2026.
• World Health Organization. Deafness and Hearing Loss. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss. Accessed September 3, 2026.
• Buz Harlor A, Bower C, et al. Hearing Assessment in Infants and Children: Recommendations Beyond Neonatal Screening. Pediatrics. 2009. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/124/4/1252/71841/Hearing-Assessment-in-Infants-and-Children?autologincheck=redirected. Accessed September 3, 2026.
• Center for Disease Control. A Parent’s Guide to Genetics and Hearing Loss. https://www.cdc.gov/hearing-loss-children-guide/parents-guide-genetics/index.html. Accessed September 3, 2026.