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The American Academy of Audiology provides clinical guidance on best practices for assessing hearing in infants and young children, with a focus on early identification and timely intervention to support speech, language, and developmental outcomes. The guidance outlines a test battery approach that combines behavioral, physiologic, and electrophysiologic measures to cross-check results and improve diagnostic accuracy.
Recommended methods differ by developmental age and include behavioral observation, visual reinforcement audiometry, conditioned play audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions, and auditory brainstem response testing. The guidance document promotes individualized assessment, clear documentation, family communication in accessible language, and alignment with early hearing detection and intervention timelines.
The full clinical guidance is available as a downloadable PDF on the American Academy of Audiology's site. Click here.
