Audiology & Hearing

Diagnosing & Treating Hearing Loss

An audiology and hearing specialist examines a young patient

Hearing is one of the main ways children understand the world around them. Even mild hearing loss can make it tough for kids to do some of the things other kids find easy, like learning to talk or playing with friends. The sooner hearing impairment is treated, the better kids do. Nemours pediatric audiology experts use leading-edge technology and testing to diagnose and treat hearing trouble in kids of all ages — even newborns.

Learn More About Hearing Evaluation in Children

Conditions We Treat

We see a full spectrum of conditions — far too many to list here. The conditions we treat vary depending on the location and providers selected. Don’t see a condition listed? Call us.

auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD)
balance (vestibular) and dizziness disorders
central auditory processing disorder (CAPD or APD)
cleft lip and palate
ear anomalies (when babies are born with ear damage or other problems)
hearing loss

Hearing Tests & Treatments

We offer a full range of pediatric audiology services. Our services may vary depending on location and a child’s condition.

We start with hearing evaluations, sometimes in a soundproof booth. Hearing tests can include:

behavioral audiometry (measures children’s responses to sounds sent through speakers or headphones)
tympanometry and middle ear muscle reflex (MEMR) (tests eardrum flexibility and reflexes of the middle ear muscle)
otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) (measures how well tiny hairs inside the inner ear are working)

If your child needs more testing, our audiologists may recommend:

auditory brainstem response (ABR) (tests how well the hearing nerve is working)
auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) evaluation (shows if there’s a problem with the transmission of signals from the inner ear to the brain)
balance (vestibular) disorder evaluation (shows if there are problems with the inner ear)
central auditory processing (CAP) evaluation (shows if a child has auditory processing disorder – where the ears and brain don’t fully coordinate to process sounds)

If your child has hearing trouble, our audiologists will recommend what to do based on your child’s needs. Treatment may include:

auditory verbal therapy (AVT) (speech-language therapy to help children develop hearing and speaking skills)
cochlear implants, including programming and therapy
frequency modulated (FM) systems (systems that make voices and other sounds louder to help children who have trouble hearing and understanding because of background noise or distance)
hearing aids (devices to strengthen the sound traveling to the eardrum)
implantable hearing devices (a surgically placed device that helps the bones of the middle ear move so sound reaches the inner ear)

We also provide:

counseling for families to provide support when kids use hearing aids and cochlear implants
prescriptions for hearing aids and other assistive devices as well as instruction on how to use, care for and maintain them
specialized programs for children diagnosed with central auditory processing disorder or auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder
information for schools and teachers to make sure kids have proper classroom equipment and any changes they might need in equipment or supplies

Why Choose Us

Nemours audiologists focus solely on children’s hearing problems. Our personalized care includes immediate access to Nemours specialists in fields like otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) and neurology (brain and central nervous system). Our teams of experts work together to figure out what’s causing your child’s hearing loss. We involve you every step of the way, from coming up with the best treatment to helping you advocate for your child in school and other settings.

Learn More About Why to Choose Us »

Regional Pediatric Audiology Highlights

Services, programs and care teams differ at each location. Call for details.

Delaware Valley/Greater Philadelphia

We offer pediatric audiology care at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children (Wilmington, Del.) and select satellite Nemours duPont Pediatrics locations.

the Delaware Valley’s only hospital-based referral for children with central auditory processing disorder (CAPD)
a comprehensive cochlear implant and auditory rehabilitation program to give ongoing support to children and families before and after surgery
an advanced gait (how a person walks) and motion analysis laboratory to evaluate balance disorders
state-of-the-art, kid-friendly equipment
services and providers available at locations closer to the home in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Central Florida

We offer pediatric audiology care at Nemours Children’s Hospital (Orlando) and select satellite Nemours Children’s Specialty Care locations.

comprehensive pediatric audiology services
state-of-the-art, kid-friendly equipment
a hospital building designed to encourage collaboration among your child's specialists and make it easy to see different doctors
specialists who travel to our satellite offices in downtown Orlando, Lake Mary and Melbourne so your child gets the best, most convenient care

Northeast Florida

We offer pediatric audiology care at Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville (in collaboration with Wolfson Children’s Hospital) and select satellite Nemours Children’s Specialty Care locations.

North Florida’s referral center for children with central auditory processing disorder (CAPD)
a specialized program for children with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD), including research into the condition
a pediatric vestibular team to provide advanced testing and treatment for balance disorders caused by inner ear problems
comprehensive pediatric audiology services
state-of-the-art, kid-friendly equipment