Diagnostic testing for hearing loss in infants and young children

An early, reliable diagnosis and description of hearing loss is essential in determining appropriate treatment to minimize potential developmental delays attributed to the loss. Objective assessment of auditory function is possible shortly after birth. Both objective and subjective measures of auditory status are used in a test battery approach to determine the type, degree, and configuration of the hearing loss. This paper reviews the diagnostic test procedures used to define the hearing capability of infants and young children. For the youngest infants electrophysiologic tests, primarily auditory evoked potentials, are used to estimate hearing sensitivity. Later behavioral audiometric measures based on operant conditioning techniques become the primary component of the test battery. Diagnostic audiologic assessment is an ongoing process that requires special equipment and expertise when directed to infants and young children.