Ways to Make the Hearing Test Process Smoother for Children

For many children, there are a lot of things that cause them to be afraid. In actuality, it doesn't take much to scare a child. That's why many of them have to sleep with a nightlight or even with their lamp on. There are others who are 100 percent sure that there's a monster underneath their bed or in their closet. Then, there are those who are afraid of doctor and dental visits. So, it would be no surprise that they would be fearful or at least hesitant about getting a professional hearing test. That's because they will be exposed to instruments, devices and an experience that they have never encountered before. This can cause issues for the person who is actually conducting the hearing test. The good news is that there are several things audiologists can do to their centers to help ease the fears of young ones and make them want to come back again. One of the things an audiologist can do is include visual models of the parts of the ear in their center. For example, the entrance area to get into the actual hearing test rooms or booths could be a replica of an ear. This will make the children more curious about going into the particular area, because it will look extremely welcoming to them. Each part of the ear could be marked and labeled, which would also give patients a quick learning experience. Another type of model that could be incorporated into the hearing test center is a model of an audiometer. This is the device that is used to monitor people's hearing levels and abilities during the procedure. By including this feature, the children will become more acquainted with the device, which will allow them to be more comfortable with it. Therefore, when they actually see it, it won't be a big surprise or shock. Someone could also be available to give a demonstration or answer questions every once in a while. Something else that could really help calm a child's fears is knowing exactly what is involved in the procedure. So, if a specialist senses that a child is showing signs of fear, they can offer to show them a quick three to five minute video that explains the entire process and gives them examples of what actually goes on. By giving them the opportunity to witness, step-by-step, what is involved with the process, the child will be able to better prepare themselves mentally. So, an audiologist doesn't have to feel helpless when it comes to easing a child's fear. Neither does a child have to feel feelings of fear unnecessarily. That's because there are several things that can be done to change the situation.