Audiology

We are pioneers in Quebec to evaluate and fit children with this specialized hearing aid.

The Audiology Department teams up with pediatricians and other allied health professionals (speech therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists) to provide expertise in hearing testing for patients with developmental delays, possible autism spectrum disorder, or significant speech delays to ensure that hearing loss does not limit speech. Learn more.

We provide hearing assessments for children with cleft palate. These children risk experiencing permanent or temporary hearing loss due to craniofacial malformations. Children with cleft palate are tested at birth and are followed periodically throughout childhood to monitor their hearing status. Learn more.

Babies who had intensive care at birth are at risk of having or developing progressive or late-onset hearing loss. The Audiology Department follows these children at various intervals to ensure that their hearing is adequate to support their development. Learn more.

We frequently work together in multidisciplinary clinics to assess patients and provide the best possible care. Learn more.

This program was developed to detect hearing impairments in newborns to provide early intervention to help the child achieve their full potential. The Montreal Children’s Hospital is one of four designated diagnostic centres in Quebec to provide a complete audiological evaluation to babies who require follow-up after their initial screening.

We work within the Trauma Centre to evaluate children who have suffered head injuries that puts their hearing at risk. Learn more.

To get an appointment, you must have a medical referral for a hearing test from your child’s doctor. Once this referral has been sent to our department, we will prioritize it based on risk factors for hearing loss.

• Hearing screening (under 3 months): Two types of automated screening tests can be performed depending on your baby’s needs. The tests are painless and quick. 
• Regular testing (8 months and older): The hearing test is performed in a soundproof room, where your child must respond to different types of sounds (voice/music, tones) in an activity. Your child is either seated on your lap, in a high chair, or at a small table next to the audiologist. The child needs to be awake for this part of the evaluation.
• Other specialized testing: The administrative officer or audiologist will give you all pertinent information when you make your appointment.

• • Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) test
  • Sedated ABR
  • Hearing aid evaluation
  • Candidacy evaluation and follow-up testing for Bone Anchored Hearing Systems (BAHS)
  • Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) testing

A child is never too young to be tested. The audiologist will adapt the testing methods to your child’s age and developmental level. Hearing tests fall into two categories: objective and subjective. Objective tests do not require the child’s participation and will be performed when the child is calm or sleeping. Subjective tests require the child to participate in the evaluation and usually involve some form of play.

• Hearing screening (under 3 months): Approximately 10-30 minutes. We try to accommodate your baby’s schedule (feeding, sleeping) to perform the test.
• Regular testing (8 months and older): Approximately 30 minutes, depending on the results, as well as your child’s cooperation.
• Specialized testing: We will let you know the length of the visit.

Of course! You are welcome to stay with your child during every part of the evaluation. For some parts, we may ask for your help (for example, holding your child while we examine their ears). However, for the hearing test in the soundproof room, we will ask that you observe quietly sitting in the back, to let the audiologist lead the test and engage with your child.

Some children don’t like having their ears touched or find it uncomfortable, but the procedures are not painful. Many children even enjoy their visit to our department because many of the tests are conducted as games. 

Some tests require us to insert a small probe (similar to an earplug) into your child’s ear canal to measure the mobility of the eardrum or the response of the inner ear cells. Your child may also be required to wear headphones (over the ears or inside the ear canals) during the examination in the soundproof room.

It is best to schedule the appointment at a time of day when your child will be happy and cooperative. Ideally, the appointment should be scheduled before or after nap time, unless specified by a member of our staff. You can tell our staff what time works best for you and we will accommodate you as much as possible.

Yes, the results will be explained to you once the test is completed. If your child’s cooperation was limited during the evaluation, we will explain the partial results and schedule another appointment to complete the test.

The physician who initially referred you to the Audiology Department will receive a copy of our report. If you wish to have the report sent to another doctor or specialist (for example, a speech language pathologist), we will ask you to sign an authorization form allowing us to send your child’s audiology report.

No preparation is needed for the hearing test. It is actually best that you do not try to test your child’s hearing at home with different toys or objects since this could influence your child’s responses to sounds during our evaluation.

If your child is old enough to understand, you can prepare them by explaining what will be done during the visit (looking in the ears, listening with earphones, playing games) and that you will stay with their at all times.

• Hospital card and Quebec medical insurance card. If your child does not have a hospital card, you will need to get one at the Pediatric Admissions Office (C RC.0036) before coming to the Audiology Department. Please plan on arriving 15 minutes early, if this is the case.
• Something to soothe or entertain your child in case there is a little wait time (for example, a pacifier, favorite toy, blanket) and diapers and change of clothes in case of accidents, formula, snacks, etc. Please note that food and drinks are not allowed in the testing room.
• Any pertinent report from other professionals (for example, audiology report from another hospital or private clinic, speech therapy evaluation, etc.)

We ask parents not to film or photograph their child during the assessment since it could be disruptive.

If your child has a fever or any other symptom compatible with COVID-19 or has any contagious illness symptoms (for example, stomach flu, hand-foot-mouth disease, chicken pox, etc.), you should stay home and reschedule the appointment. In this case, please contact us at 514-412-4454.

The hearing test will be performed by one or two audiologists, depending on your child’s age and development. Since the Montreal Children’s Hospital is part of the McGill University Health Centre, audiology students and medical residents may participate in or observe the evaluation.