Pediatric Comprehensive Audiological Evaluations

Comprehensive diagnostic hearing evaluation performed through The Hearing Group of NM are medically-based performed by a licensed and certified pediatric audiologist. The evaluation consists of a battery of tests to thoroughly assess the child’s hearing status. Results are provided to the parent following the evaluation and the report was developed for use by your family physician, otolaryngologist, speech language pathologist or other healthcare professional. The audiologist will work closely with the referring physician as well as other professionals to develop the appropriate course of treatment. These services are subject to professional fees and covered by most insurances.

Pediatric Hearing Aid Services

Our pediatric audiologists have extensive training and experience in providing the latest in hearing aid services for children. Employing the latest verification techniques recommended for children, our audiologists use an evidence-based method of fitting hearing aids that ensures a perfect fit, every time! Live Speech Mapping is a fitting process that uses probe microphones and live real-time speech to allow the patient and their family members to immediately see and understand the benefits of hearing aids and fitting adjustments.

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Testing for All Ages (non-sedated)

An Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) is a hearing test that measures the brain’s response to sounds and is used to determine hearing thresholds in patients where conventional behavioral testing cannot be completed. Our facility offers this type of testing using the latest state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. The Vivosonic Integrity V500 was developed for the estimation of hearing levels in very young children or for difficult-to-test patients including those with developmental disabilities. With this technology, sedation is unnecessary and testing can be completed on infants, children of all ages as well as adults. This is especially valuable for medical-fragile patients where sedation is considered a health risk. The ABR uses small self-adhesive electrodes that are placed on the skin of the head and headphones that are placed in each ear. The can be asleep or remain awake for the duration of the test. An audiologist interprets the responses that are measured and determines the child’s level of hearing in each ear. An ABR test can last between 30 minutes and 2 hours and is not painful for the patient and can provide valuable hearing threshold information for the diagnosis of hearing loss as well as for recommending and programming hearing aids.

Hearing Screening Services

The Hearing Group of NM offers hearing screening services for schools, early childhood centers and for industry. Our hearing screening services include otoscopy, pure-tone hearing screening and tympanometry. Screening services are provided by a licensed and certified pediatric audiologist. Accompanying the audiologist is Letty Reitz, who is great with children and has a background in education. Good hearing is essential for normal speech and language acquisition as well as facilitating academic progress. The goal of hearing screening in children is to rule out hearing loss that may potentially interfere with communication, development, health, or learning. Because hearing loss in younger children is so often associated with ear infections as well as other middle ear issues, early detection and treatment is recommended in order to prevent permanent hearing loss.

Newborn Hearing Screenings

The majority of infants born in hospitals are screened for hearing before going home. This type of hearing test uses small headphones and stickers that attach to the baby’s skin. A soft clicking sound is played in each ear, and a computer measures the brain’s response to the sound. The baby sleeps during this short, painless test. Babies who did not receive a hearing screening at birth should be screened within the first month of life. In these instances, newborn screening can be performed through our office.

Bilingual (Spanish) Services

The Hearing Group of NM offers comprehensive pediatric services provided by qualified bilingual providers and staff.