Paediatric Hearing Services
Our Services
Newcastle Hearing Centre for Children provides gentle, non-invasive hearing assessments and and play-based testing for the diagnosis of hearing problems in babies, toddlers and children of all ages:
Infant Audiometry (from Birth)
Gentle, non-invasive hearing assessments for babies from birth.
Our team uses advanced diagnostic tools, including:
All tests are conducted in a calm, nurturing environment to ensure accurate results for even the youngest infants.
VROA – Visually Reinforced Orientation Audiometry
Designed for babies and toddlers who are beginning to localise sounds. Your child will sit on your lap and respond to sounds by turning their head towards visual reinforcers (such as animated toys or lights).
This engaging and play-based test helps determine hearing levels across different pitches.
2-Person VROA
For our youngest or more sensitive children, we offer 2-person VROA testing. This method uses:
- One audiologist to keep your child engaged and comfortable, and
- Another audiologist to operate the test equipment and observe responses.
This approach improves accuracy for infants and children who require extra reassurance or are still developing sound localisation skills.
Play Audiometry
A fun, game-based assessment suitable for preschool and early school-aged children.
Children respond to sounds by completing simple tasks—such as putting a block in a bucket—turning hearing assessment into an enjoyable activity.
Diagnostic Audiology
Comprehensive diagnostic testing for children of all ages, including:
- Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA)
- Speech Audiometry
- Tympanometry and Reflex Testing
Detailed reports are provided for GPs, ENTs, and speech pathologists, with tailored recommendations for follow-up and support.
Auditory Processing Disorder
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) affects the way the brain interprets and makes sense of sounds, despite hearing sensitivity often being within the normal range. People with APD can hear sounds clearly but may have difficulty understanding, organising, or responding to auditory information effectively.
Our experienced paediatric audiologists provide comprehensive APD assessments and will guide you through the results, recommendations, and available therapy options.
More information on APD