Kids Hearing Services 

At Sense of Hearing, we specialize in providing hearing tests and if indicated, amplification for infants and children. We understand the importance of your child's hearing health and the impact it can have on their development and learning. That's why we offer comprehensive hearing tests for children 10* months and older. (Click here for applicable locations)


Our Audiologists and Doctors of Audiology are registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO).

Sense of Hearing offers a range of advanced tools and equipment that allow us to provide more accurate and effective hearing tests and treatments.

For instance, Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) is a technique used to test hearing in young children. This involves playing sounds and rewarding the child with a visual stimulus, such as a toy, when they turn towards the sound. Similarly, Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) testing measures sounds generated by the inner ear, which can help detect hearing loss or other issues.


Impedance equipment, such as Tympanometry, can help diagnose middle ear problems by measuring the movement of the eardrum in response to changes in air pressure.

Audiometers are also an essential tool in hearing clinics, used to test a patient's hearing by playing sounds of varying frequencies and volumes. To ensure accurate results, hearing booths are specifically designed to minimize background noise and provide a controlled testing environment.


With this, we can provide more comprehensive and personalized care to our younger patients. If your child is experiencing hearing loss or other hearing-related issues, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with a qualified audiologist at one of our locations today.

  • Is my child eligible for hearing test?

    A patient is eligible for assessment of hearing status within Sense of Hearing Canada if they are at least 10 months of age and/or are able to sit independently on a parent’s lap or in a supportive chair with full trunk support to allow for free unsupported head turns. 

  • What if my child did not receive a hearing screen in hospital at birth?

    All children born in Ontario should seek out a hearing screen within the first month of life. The screening should be completed by the Infant Hearing Program. Locations can be found here.

  • Do I need a referral for my child's hearing test?

    No need for doctor referral. Choose from one of our six Sense of Hearing Kids locations to book your child's appointment today.

  • What tests are performed

    • Pure Tone Audiometry
    • Speech awareness, reception, and recognition testing
    • Impedance Audiometry
    • Sound Field Testing
    • Otoacoustic Emissions

  • What if my child has a hearing loss?

    • If a hearing loss is identified, we will recommend next steps for your child, whether it is following up with your doctor, seeking out a referral to an ear-nose-throat specialist, scheduling a re-test to verify the hearing loss, or being fit with hearing aids.
    • We do provide hearing aid / FM system evaluation, prescription, dispensing, and ongoing care.
    • We also help with applying to insurance, special funding, ODSP/ACSD/Ontario Works, and the Ontario Assistive Devices Program.
    • We communicate with school boards to find the best solutions for your child’s hearing in the classroom.

  • Do you offer wax removal?

    Yes we do, for a small fee.

  • Is there a waitlist?

    Our wait times vary at each location but booking an appointment with us then in a hospital environment can help get results faster.

a young boy is getting his hearing tested by an audiologist .

Sense of Hearing Kids Locations

Locations offering services for 10 months and up

Starting at 10 Months and up

Burlington Guelph Stoney Creek St. Catharines Kingston Oakville

Infants and toddlers

Consider a hearing test if your child:

  • was not screened as a newborn
  • stops babbling (usually parents don’t notice this until after 12 months of age).
  • does not pay attention or react to loud noises around the house (such as a doorbell, telephone, dog barking).
  • does not turn toward sound by 3-4 months of age or turn toward spoken words by 9 months of age.
  • has had frequent ear infections and/or fluid draining from the ears.
  • does not say single words by 12 months of age.
  • does not understand simple phrases unless the person talking is facing them (such as, “Go get your shoes.”).
  • starts speaking later than usual.
  • speaks loudly.

Pre-schoolers and school-aged children

Consider a hearing test if your child:

  • starts speaking later than usual, or is difficult to understand.
  • needs things to be repeated.
  • speaks loudly or turns up the volume on electronics so much that it disturbs others.
  • has difficulty following simple instructions such as “Go brush your teeth and then wash your face.”
  • seems like they are not paying attention, especially when in a group or noisy setting, like child care or school.
  • has trouble learning in school.
  • is easily frustrated, more so than other children of the same age.

School-aged children

Other Indicators of further testing:

  • difficulty understanding speech in the presence of background noise
  • difficulty with reading, spelling, reading comprehension
  • difficulty remembering auditory information
  • difficulty organizing sounds in a proper sequence
  • problems successfully combining auditory and visual information
  • difficulty with localization of sound
  • problems attending to different information presented to opposite ears
  • a consistent delay in response to a question or instructions

These concerns can also be indicative of auditory processing difficulties and your child may be a candidate for an auditory processing disorder assessment. Please click on link below for more information on APD tests and treatments we offer at Sense of Hearing.

Learn More About Auditory Processing Disorder

Please ask your primary care physician if there are additional professionals that may help with your child's development.

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