Play audiometry is a type of behavioral hearing test that is used to assess the hearing of young children, typically between the ages of 2 and 5. It is also known as conditioned play audiometry (CPA).
During a play audiometry test, the child is placed in a soundproof room and given a toy to play with. The audiologist will then present a series of pure tones through headphones. The tones will be presented at different frequencies and intensities.
The audiologist will observe the child’s behavior to see if they respond to the tones. For example, the child may be trained to raise their hand, turn their head towards the sound, or drop a block in a bucket when they hear a tone.
The audiologist will record the softest intensity at which the child responds to each tone at each frequency. This is called the child’s hearing threshold. The child’s hearing threshold is measured in decibels (dB). The lower the number, the better the child’s hearing is at that frequency.
The audiologist will then plot the child’s hearing thresholds on an audiogram, which is a graph that shows the child’s hearing sensitivity across different frequencies. The audiogram can be used to determine the type, degree, and configuration of the child’s hearing loss.
Play audiometry is a safe and effective test for young children. It is typically more enjoyable for children than other types of hearing tests, such as pure tone audiometry.
Play audiometry is used to diagnose and monitor hearing loss in young children. It is also used to assess the effectiveness of hearing aids and other treatments.
Here are some of the benefits of play audiometry:
- It is a more enjoyable and engaging experience for children than other types of hearing tests.
- It can be used to test children who are too young to follow instructions or cooperate with other types of hearing tests.
- It can provide accurate and reliable information about a child’s hearing sensitivity.
If you have any concerns about your child’s hearing, or if they have a history of ear problems, it is important to see an audiologist for a hearing assessment. Play audiometry is a valuable tool that can help diagnose and monitor hearing loss in young children.
