At the Melcare Minato center, we use a combination of behavioral measures to assess the hearing/auditory status of infants and children.

・Behavioral hearing tests include behavioral observation, visual reinforcement, conditioned orientation response/conditioned orientation reflex (COR) Audiometry, conditioned play/conditioned play audiometry (CPA) , etc.

・During behavioral hearing tests, the child is seated in a sound booth and sounds of varying intensity are presented via calibrated speakers. The sounds may consist of speech or music as well as specific frequencies that are critical to access (hear) the different sounds of speech. The audiologist looks for and records the child's responses to each sound.

・Conditioned Orientation Reflex (COR) Audiometry – 6 months to 2+ years

Conditioned Orientation Reflex (COR) Audiometry uses a machine known as an audiometer to test a child's hearing threshold levels. The child turns to the sound stimulus and a puppet lights-up to reward (reinforce) the child's listening behavior.

・Conditioned play audiometry (CPA)- 2+ years

Conditioned play audiometry (CPA) also uses a machine known as an audiometer to test a child's hearing threshold levels. While a pure tone audiometer relies on a user feedback button, CPA makes a game out of the hearing test by replacing the feedback device with activity-related toys such as blocks or pegs to make the testing practical for younger kids.

Both Conditioned Orientation Reflex (COR) Audiometry and Conditioned play audiometry (CPA) measures hearing sensitivity to determine if a child has any possibility of hearing loss. If deemed possible for hearing loss, we can then refer parents to a bigger medical facility to seek further testing.

Melcare Minato center also strives to provide support catering to children with hearing difficulties.