Learn more about hearing loss in children and what you can do to provide the best help for your kids.

What to do if you think your child has a hearing loss

The best thing you can do for your child is get him/her tested right away. The technology is available to test hearing in babies as young as just born, and the sooner you are aware of the issue, the sooner you can begin providing your child with the tools he/she needs to start developing communication and language skills. Although most parents would rather not learn that their children have a hearing loss, today’s level of available technologies can ensure their future growth into warm, productive and successful adults.

Hearing Help of Westchester works in conjunction with Dr. Joseph Bernstein, an otolarngologist, and other audiologists in order to give your child the best possible care. We can also work with your child’s school system to provide a secure and comfortable environment for your child in and outside the classroom.

Does your child have an Auditory Processing Disorder?

An AP disorder is the inability to recognize or understand auditory information you hear. If your child is having trouble with auditory processing functions, it may result in a reduced ability for him/her to learn through hearing. These issues can be addressed once recognized – most individuals with AP disorders have normal or near-normal hearing and normal intelligence.

Warning Signs for APD
	Your child says ‘huh’ or ‘what’ frequently
	He responds inconsistently to sounds
	She often misunderstands what is said, or asks for repetition
	He is easily distracted, or has difficulty following verbal directions
	She has poor language skills, or has difficulties with academics
	Your child has a history of fluid and/or ear infections

HEARING TESTS FOR CHILDREN
Hearing Help of Westchester provides the following hearing tests specifically designed for children:

Behavioral Observation Audiometry (Newborns under six months)

Different levels of sounds are presented while the infant’s resulting behavior (eye widening, eye blinking, sucking patterns) is observed.

Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (Children over six months)

During this test, a child responds to speech and different sounds using light and toys.

Play Audiometry (Toddlers)

These age-appropriate game-like activities encourage the child to perform an action in response to a certain sound.

Standard Audiometry (Adolescents)

This test delivers speech and tones via headphones to test hearing.

OAE Evaluation

An otoacoustic emission test (OAE) measures an acoustic response produced by the inner ear function. Tones or click-like sounds are sent through a probe placed in the ear to evaluate whether the child’s ear produces these ‘emissions’ in response to the sound. The absence of otoacoustic emissions may indicate hearing loss.

Auditory Processing Evaluation

An AP disorder is the inability to recognize or understand auditory information. This can result in a reduced ability to learn through hearing. AP disorders are diagnosed by administering a series of tests in a sound-treated room. These tests require the child to attend to a variety of signals and to respond to them via repetition, pushing a button, or in some other way. Other tests that measure the auditory system’s physiologic responses to sound may also be administered. Most of the tests of APD require that a child be at least 7 or 8 years of age because variability in brain function is so different in younger children that test interpretation may not be possible.

	About Joseph Bernstein, MD Specializing in Pediatric Ear Nose and Throat medicine (also known as an otolarngologist) at his White Plains office and NYU Medical Center for the past 8 years, Joseph is dedicated to helping children and their parents. Known as ‘Dr. Joey’ to his smallest patients, Joseph’s passion and commitment to his profession is unrivaled. About Christine Russo-Mayer, Au.D. Dr. Russo-Mayer is an early intervention provider affording her extensive pediatric experience that includes the special needs population. In addition to the clinical Audiology practice at The Communications Center, Dr. Russo-Mayer had the pleasure of working with The Tomatis Program and other listening training programs developed for individuals with Auditory Processing, ADHD, Sensory Integration, Autism and other developmental delays