Before a speech-language pathologist (SLP) can accurately evaluate a child’s speech and language abilities, it is crucial to ensure the child has full access to speech sounds, which requires a hearing test. Testing a child’s hearing helps to rule out any hearing-related issues that might affect their ability to process and respond to speech, which could otherwise interfere with their speech and language development.
How We Test Your Child’s Hearing
Hearing tests are conducted by an audiologist in a controlled sound booth. The process begins with an inspection of the child’s ears using an otoscope to check for any wax buildup or fluid behind the eardrum, which could impact hearing. After that, the audiologist performs a tympanometry test, where a soft tip is gently placed in the ear to move the eardrum back and forth. This test checks that the eardrum is functioning properly and that there is no fluid or blockage behind it. Following that, the audiologist will play a series of sounds, including different pitches, through headphones or speakers in the room, and observe the child’s responses—this could be a hand-raise or head turn, depending on the child’s age and ability. For older children, speech sounds such as words or sentences may be played, and the audiologist will assess how the child responds. These tests ensure that the child can hear and process both speech and non-speech sounds at various pitches and volumes.
Understanding speech involves hearing sounds at different frequencies—low, mid, and high pitches. If a child has hearing loss, they may not have access to certain pitches, which could impact their ability to understand and produce speech. A delay in speech and language development can occur when a child isn’t exposed to sounds in the same way a child with normal hearing would be. That’s why the audiologist’s role is essential in confirming the child’s hearing ability before the speech evaluation. By identifying any hearing issues early, they can provide appropriate recommendations and ensure the child receives the support they need to thrive in speech and language development.
For more information about speech and language milestones or to schedule a hearing evaluation before your child’s speech assessment, contact Evergreen Speech and Hearing Clinic today.