As a parent, family member or caregiver, we know it may be overwhelming when your infant or child has hearing loss. The Audiology Program at Riley Children’s Health is here to help at every step of the way, from confirmation of hearing status to support on decisions regarding the most appropriate treatment plan. We focus on a family-centered approach that is intended to reach the goals you have for your child.
Pediatric audiology is a practice of hearing that specializes in diagnosing and treating hearing loss of all degrees and types. At a pediatric audiology appointment, our team will provide you with the best treatment options to support your child’s hearing. Pediatric audiologists work with patients from newborn through adulthood.
Conditions Treated
We evaluate and treat children who have a wide variety of conditions, including:
- Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder
- Conductive Hearing Loss (CHL)
- Mixed Hearing Loss
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)
- Single Sided Deafness/Unilateral Hearing Loss
- Tinnitus
- Vestibular Disorders, such as balance problems or dizziness
Services Offered
Our pediatric audiologists offer multiple services for your child’s needs:
- Hearing Testing
- The Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) test is most appropriate for children ages 7 – 9 months to 2 – 3 years.
- The Conditioned Play Audiometry (CPA) test is most appropriate for children ages 2 – 3 years to 4 – 5 years.
- Traditional Hearing Testing is most appropriate for children ages 5 and up.
- Auditory Brainstem Evoked Response Testing (ABR) is used for children of all ages. Children from birth – 6 months are tested without sedation, however, ABR with sedation is available when appropriate and recommended.
- Tympanometry and DPOAE testing looks at the ear to assess fluid and function. It is appropriate for children of any age.
- Hearing Aid Services includes traditional hearing devices and Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) devices. When your child receives a hearing aid, your audiology team will cover the following:
- Evaluations
- Fittings
- Checks
- Assistive Device Counseling
- Cochlear implants
- Vestibular Testing evaluates your child’s sense of balance, which is directly related to their hearing. Specific tests include:
- VNG
- Rotary Chair
- cVEMP testing
What to Expect
What to Expect
At your initial audiology appointment, your audiologist will first evaluate your family history and pregnancy history. Based on this information, the audiologist will select the most developmentally appropriate test methods to check your child's hearing. Once the evaluation is complete, the goal is to offer you treatment recommendations before you leave. If additional testing is necessary, your provider will help you schedule a follow-up appointment and/or provide you with the resources needed to begin an action plan. While at your appointment, please also be prepared to answer any questions or concerns regarding your child’s hearing, like:
- Has anyone in the family ever been diagnosed with hearing loss that began at birth or early childhood?
- Do you notice that they respond only to certain speech sounds?
- Do they startle to loud sounds?
- Are they babbling, or if the child is older, are they talking?
- Has your child reached other developmental milestones such as crawling, walking or eating?
- Is your child struggling to hear in school? Have teachers or therapists mentioned concerns regarding their hearing?
In preparation for your audiology appointment, it is helpful to have your child practice wearing headphones or getting their ears touched.
What to Bring
Please bring a copy of your insurance card, medical history and any previous records which may include hearing testing results (Universal Newborn Hearing Screen results). This will help guide the audiologist in determining what type of testing is most appropriate to check your child’s hearing status.
Key Points to Remember
Key Points to Remember
- Pediatric audiology is the idea of diagnosing and treating patients with hearing loss of all degrees and types.
- The pediatric audiology team at Riley Children’s uses a family-centered approach to support your child with hearing loss.
- Pediatric audiologists work with patients from newborn through adulthood. To learn more about hearing services for adult patients, visit Hearing Loss at Indiana University Health.
- It is helpful to have your child practice wearing headphones or having their ears touched prior to their initial appointment.
- At your audiology appointment, your audiologist will first conduct a history test, which will help determine appropriate testing methods for your child.
Locations
Locations
Locations
Riley Pediatric Rehabilitation Services - Eagle Creek
3600 Guion Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46222
Riley Pediatric Rehabilitation Services - Carmel
14828 Greyhound Ct.
Carmel, IN 46032
The audiology team at Riley Children’s provides outpatient care in multiple locations within the Indianapolis metro area. Services vary by location, and the Rehabilitation Services team will determine the best location for treatment based on a child’s specific needs and where those services are offered.