Final answer:
For a child aged 4 or older, hearing assessment commonly involves audiometry and the whisper test. Audiometry tests across frequencies via headphones, represented in an audiogram, while the whisper test involves checking the child's ability to hear whispered words at a distance. Bone conduction tests during audiometry help distinguish between types of hearing loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
For hearing assessment in a child age 4 or older, audiometry and the whisper test are commonly used methods. The brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) is another method, typically used in newborns and infants or for clinical diagnostic purposes in older children and adults. The Moro reflex, which is a startle response in infants, is not related to hearing tests. Audiometry involves playing sounds of specific frequencies and intensities through headphones and assessing the child's ability to hear each sound. This is often represented in an audiogram, which plots the thresholds of hearing across frequencies. The whisper test is a simple screening technique where a health professional whispers words or sounds at varying intensities from a distance to see if the child can hear them. Bone conduction tests can distinguish between conductive (middle ear) and sensorineural (nerve) hearing loss.
For instance, hearing loss at 4000 Hz due to noise exposure such as from a cap gun can be identified using these tests. The severity of hearing loss in decibels (dB) at specific frequencies, like the 5000 Hz tone mentioned, can be established compared to the normal hearing threshold. In more detailed hearing assessments, speech audiometry and the Weber test for determining laterality of hearing loss may also be utilized. These methods contribute to a comprehensive evaluation of a child’s auditory capabilities and are fundamental in identifying potential hearing impairments that could affect language development and learning.