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Frequently Asked Questions

Below, you will find some of the most common questions we receive from families. Please feel free to call with other questions or ask an audiologist or listening and spoken language clinician during your appointment.

What should I expect at my baby's first appointment?

At your first appointment, your baby will see an audiologist and a speech-language pathologist. The audiologist will look into your baby’s ears with an otoscope and then place a small, soft probe in the ear to examine the eardrum and measure the reflex to a sound that is played. With a small, soft probe placed in the ear, the audiologist will look at echoes made by the inner ear. Depending on the age of the child, a speech-language pathologist may play listening games with your child in a sound-treated room to assess his or her response to soft-level sounds.

Will the hearing tests hurt my child?

No, the hearing tests and procedures provided at Hearts for Hearing are not painful. Some babies and children who have had frequent ear infections may be fearful of having another doctor look in their ears. We use bubbles, fun toys, and lots of smiles as distractions for each child to be as content as possible during testing.

How long will the initial tests take?

The amount of time needed to test your child will depend on your child’s age and what tests the audiologist determines necessary. Typically, the first appointment lasts about one hour for preschool children and about three hours for infants between the ages of 0 to 5 months.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes, a complete list of the insurances we are in network with can be found on our resources page.

What if my child has hearing loss?

If your child has hearing loss, the audiologist will explain the details and develop a plan for moving forward. That plan may include more audiology testing, medical referrals, or possibly hearing aids.

What if I can't afford services and technology for my baby?

The cost of hearing aids should not limit a child from being able to learn to listen and talk. Therefore, Hearts for Hearing provides the first set of hearing aids to all newly diagnosed infants and children up to age 18 in Oklahoma at no cost to the family. Visit our financial assistance page to learn more about the help we can offer.

Does Your Child Have Questions?

Watch this quick video, narrated by one of our Listening and Spoken Language Specialist, to help prepare your child for their upcoming appointment at Hearts for Hearing.

We are closed for the holidays from 12/24 through 1/4. Email audassist@heartsforhearing.org for emergency support.