Paediatric Hearing Clinic

Paediatric Hearing Clinic

WE TEST CHILDREN’S HEARING, including newborns, infants, toddlers and kids

Ballarat Hearing Clinic is contracted to provide Paediatric and Outpatient Audiology to Grampians Health Ballarat and runs the Grampians Health Ballarat Audiology Department from within our Ballarat Hearing Clinic – Sebastopol site. We are able to see newborns, including referrals from the Victorian Infant Hearing Screening Program and can see medically referred children under 17 years old and patients of all ages referred from  within Grampians Health.


Service is provided at Ballarat Hearing Clinic-Sebastopol 

210 Albert Street, Sebastopol.  


Ballarat Hearing Clinic coordinates all Audiologists and appointments for Grampians Health Audiology Department. Please contact Ballarat Hearing Clinic and NOT Grampians Health Ballarat.  


Appointments can only be made with a current medical referral. General Practitioners and other Medical Specialists can contact us for referral pads. 

Referrals can be faxed to 5333 2964+61 3 5333 2964  

or emailed to: reception@ballarathearingclinic.com.au 

HOW DO YOU TEST A NEWBORN BABY’S HEARING?

We do not have to rely on an infant’s reaction to sound, which is unreliable in the early stages of development. We prefer the baby to be asleep and we use several types of technology to assess whether a baby’s ear is functioning normally.

Babies with a “refer” result on screening are seen by an audiologist at 4-8 weeks of age for a full hearing assessment to ensure hearing is adequate for development of speech and language. The fundamentals of speech and language are learnt in the first few months of life, so it is important to detect and treat any hearing disorders early.

Audiologists are trained to measure eardrum compliance and middle ear status using high frequency probe tone tympanometry, Distortion Product and Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions, Auditory Brainstem Response and Auditory Steady State Response. These tests can provide a full understanding of the degree and type of hearing problems without any need for the baby to respond. Behavioural testing of infant’s hearing can be undertaken from about 6 months of age.

TESTING FOR CHILDREN IS USUALLY A FUN AND ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE

We DO NOT perform Auditory Processing Assessments but can offer some advice on the topic at appointments.

Testing is reported to relevant agencies including the referral source and explanations of results given to parents.

Hearing testing is useful to help Medical Practitioners determine whether Otologist or other referral is warranted. Most childhood hearing issues are successfully treated medically.

Hearing testing is important to rule out concerns related to speech and language development and academic progress.

Parental concern or uncertainty about hearing is a good reason for testing. This includes children with possible selective hearing and behavioural issues.

Children with a family history of genetic hearing loss from a young age should be tested as should children who have experienced major illness or have other disabilities.

It is recommended that all children have their hearing tested prior to starting school.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE THEIR HEARING TESTED PRIOR TO STARTING SCHOOL

If hearing problems are detected that are significant enough to impair speech and language development, children are referred to appropriate specialist agencies.

Most problems are due to middle ear pathology, which can be treated medically. A report to your child's doctor may suggest referral for ENT Specialist opinion.

For hearing losses that are permanent, infants may be referred for hearing aid fitting by Hearing Australia or for assessment for cochlear implantation (A bionic ear). Specialist agencies exist to help parents with newborns and older children diagnosed with hearing loss and your Audiologist will be able to put you in contact with relevant agencies.

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