Audiology Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should my child have a hearing test?

An infant should have a hearing test if he or she did not pass the newborn hearing screening test in one or both ears. Even if your child's passed the newborn hearing screening test, your baby's hearing should be tested again if there is a reason why your child might develop a hearing loss.

Reasons your child might develop a hearing loss:

Have a close relative who had hearing loss in childhood
Have a syndrome in which hearing loss often occurs
Infections at birth such as cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Being on a ventilator for a long time
Have a congenital diaphragmatic hernia or needing ECMO therapy
Having repeated courses of IV antibiotics and diuretics

Your child's hearing also should be checked if:

You think your child is not responding normally to sounds
Your child is not starting to understand words and talk at the usual age
Your child has frequent ear infections or persistent middle ear fluid

Do you perform routine hearing tests?

We are a diagnostic test center and do not perform routine hearing assessments or hearing screenings. Insurance plans that cover a “routine hearing test” every year may not cover the diagnostic assessment performed at Boston Children’s.

How is my child's hearing tested?

There are many ways to test a child's hearing, depending on the age and health of the child. The Audiology Program performs the following tests:

Auditory brainstem response (ABR) test
Regular (behavioral) audiological evaluation
Auditory processing
Tympanometry
Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs)
Hearing aid verification

What happens if my child has a hearing loss?

Some hearing problems are medically or surgically correctable if they are caused by middle ear health issues. Other hearing problems may be treated with the use of hearing aids, cochlear implants, and speech and language therapy.

If a hearing problem is found, your audiologist and pediatrician will arrange for your child to be seen by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) to explore any medical aspects of the hearing loss and will guide you to other services to help your child to communicate.

What should I bring to the appointment?

Please bring your insurance card and referral number if your insurance requires it. You may wish to bring a snack and/or a drink for your child.

What should I do if I have questions about a bill I receive?

For all questions about billing please contact the hospital billing office at 617-355-3397. You can also visit their webpage for more information.