Finding a Pediatric Audiologist and Scheduling an Appointment
What is a Pediatric Audiologist?
A pediatric audiologist is a specially trained healthcare professional who evaluates the hearing of children using special equipment and special tests designed just for young children. A pediatric audiologist's primary focus is the early identification and treatment of hearing loss in children.
Find a Pediatric Audiologist
To find a pediatric audiologist near you, visit the Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Pediatric Audiology Links to Services (EHDI-PALS) Website.
EHDI-PALS has an easy-to-use online directory listing facilities throughout the United States that offer hearing services for children from birth to 5 years of age. You can even compare providers and get direct links to provider websites and phone numbers for quick access to care.
In addition to locating facility information, EHDI-PALS has great resources for parents and professionals who want to learn more about childhood hearing loss, hearing testing, early intervention, and family support.
If you prefer a recommendation from your child’s medical professionals on finding a pediatric audiologist, please ask the pediatrician for a referral.
What type of appointment should I schedule for my baby?
If your baby did not receive a newborn hearing screen after birth AND is less than one month old, you will need to schedule a Hearing Screening.
If your baby did not pass the newborn hearing screening OR is older than one month old and did not receive a newborn hearing screening, you will need to schedule a Diagnostic Hearing Test.
Why is Scheduling This Appointment Important?
By following up with a pediatric audiologist and having the appropriate testing done, you can be assured that your baby has the best outcome to hitting developmental milestones timely.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ‘Without timely screening, diagnosis, and intervention, hearing loss can cause significant delays in a child’s speech, language, social, and emotional development.’
More information on developmental milestones can be found on the CDC's website.