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What to Expect at Your Child’s Audiology Appointment

By Olivia Ruggiano, Au.D
Pediatric Audiologist

As a pediatric audiologist, Olivia Ruggiano, Au.D understands how overwhelming a referral for a hearing evaluation can feel for families. Parents often arrive with questions, concerns, and uncertainty about what the appointment will involve. This guide walks families through what to expect during a pediatric audiology visit, why referrals happen, how testing is tailored to each child, and how results can help support communication and development.

Pediatricians, school nurses, speech-language pathologists, and early intervention programs may recommend a hearing test for children when there are questions about speech, language, learning, or overall development. Pediatric audiologists specialize in creating appointments that are comfortable, informative, and engaging for both children and families. The goal is to understand your child’s hearing clearly, so the proper supports can be put in place to help them communicate, learn, and thrive.

Why Was My Child Referred to a Pediatric Audiologist?

Children are often referred for a pediatric hearing evaluation for many reasons, and most referrals are made out of an abundance of care, not because something is “wrong.”

Common reasons include:

    • Concerns about speech, language, or overall development
    • Hearing concerns raised by parents, teachers, pediatricians, or school nurses
    • A history of frequent ear infections or ear surgery
    • Complicated birth history
    • Medical conditions that may increase the risk of hearing differences
    • Referrals from early intervention programs or speech-language therapists

A hearing evaluation helps rule out hearing concerns or identify them early, when intervention can be most effective.

What Happens During the Appointment?

Pediatric audiologists use age-appropriate, child-friendly testing methods. Parents are involved throughout the visit, and breaks are always allowed if a child needs them.

Your child’s evaluation may include several parts:

    • Looking Inside the Ears (Otoscopy)
      A quick, gentle exam using a lighted tool to look at the ear canal and eardrum.
    • Middle ear testing (Tympanometry)
      A soft probe measures how well the middle ear is working. This can help identify fluid or pressure issues.
    • Inner Ear Screening (Otoacoustic Emissions, or OAE)
      Another soft probe checks how the inner ear (cochlea) responds to sound. This test is quiet, quick, and painless.
    • Behavioral Hearing Testing
      Pediatric audiologists use different types of hearing tests based on a child’s developmental age, not just their birthday. Below are the most common hearing tests used during a pediatric audiology appointment, along with what parents can expect from each:
      ~ Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA): Ages ~6 months to 2.5 years. Children turn toward sounds and are rewarded with light-up toys.
      ~ Conditioned Play Audiometry (CPA): Ages ~2.5 to 5–6 years. Children respond to sounds by completing a simple play task, such as dropping a toy into a bucket.
      ~ Conventional Audiometry: Ages 6 and up. Children respond by pressing a button or raising a hand when they hear sounds.

👉 Tip for Parents:
If your child is sensitive to things touching their ears or head, practicing with headphones at home before the appointment can help them feel more comfortable during testing.

What Happens After Testing?

After the evaluation, the results are explained clearly and in plain language. Families are encouraged to ask questions and talk through next steps together.

Understanding Hearing Results

Results may show hearing levels ranging from normal to profound. If a hearing difference is identified, it may be categorized as:

    • Conductive hearing loss: related to the outer or middle ear
    • Sensorineural hearing loss: associated with the inner ear
    • Mixed hearing loss: involving more than one part of the ear

Next Steps and Possible Supports

If hearing differences are identified, recommendations are tailored to your child’s needs and may include:

    • Medical follow-up
    • Referral to an otolaryngologist (ENT) to help determine the cause of hearing differences
    • Medical clearance for hearing aids, if appropriate
    • Discussion of additional hearing technology options
    • Intervention and communication support

Depending on your child’s needs, options may include:

    • Hearing aids
    • Bone-anchored hearing devices
    • Cochlear implants
    • Sign language or other visual languages
    • AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices
    • Other communication supports

Additional Support and Referrals

Some children may benefit from working with:

    • Speech-language pathologists
    • Occupational therapists
    • Physical therapists
    • Developmental specialists
    • Early intervention services
    • Other medical providers as needed

A Reassuring Final Note for Families

Pediatric audiologists work to create a welcoming experience for children and families alike. Clear hearing information helps guide decisions about speech, language, and developmental support, empowering families every step of the way.

Olivia Ruggiano, AuDAbout Olivia Ruggiano, Au.D
Pediatric Audiologist

Olivia Ruggiano, Au.D, sees patients ages 6 months to 50 years. With special training as a pediatric audiologist, she specializes in hearing evaluations for infants, children, and teens, including those with developmental differences.

Audiology
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