Worried About Your Child’s Hearing?

Book an easy, accurate, and anxiety-free child hearing test

Discover the specific type and degree of your hearing loss, understand how it’s impacting your daily life, and explore your options with confidence. No pressure. Just clear actionable answers.
Years of making hearing care accessible to everyone
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Aussies in the Shire helped with personal hearing care
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Convenient Locations in Cronulla & Engadine
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Why Early Hearing Testing for Your Child Matters

In Australia, newborn babies are eligible for a free, universal hearing screening test shortly after birth.

However, this doesn’t mean they won’t develop some form of hearing deficiency later in development. Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent, and it can significantly impact a child’s development, speaking proficiency, and performance at school.

Whether you’ve noticed clear signs of hearing difficulties or you simply want peace of mind, early detection is critical. 

The sooner hearing loss is identified, the sooner your child can receive the support they need to develop language, social skills, and confidence.

Ariana Rutgers

Super child-friendly and accommodating! Our daughter gets very anxious with medical appointments, but the team at Shire Hearing Clinic went above and beyond – even coming outside when she didn’t want to go in.

Signs Your Child May Have Hearing Difficulties

You know your child best. If something feels off, trust your instincts. Here are some common signs that warrant a hearing test:

For Babies and Toddlers

For Preschool and School-Age Children

For Teenagers

If any of these sound familiar, a hearing test can give you clarity and a path forward.

How Pediatric Hearing Tests Work at Different Ages

We tailor our testing approach to your child’s age and developmental stage.
Here’s what to expect:

Children from 18 Months

We use Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA), a play-based method that makes testing feel like a game. We present sounds through a speaker, and when your child responds (by turning, pointing, or engaging with a toy), we reward them with fun visuals like puppets or animated toys.

This tests four key sound frequencies and establishes baseline screening levels, showing us whether your child has adequate hearing for speech and language development. 

If more detailed results are needed, we’ll recommend retesting when they’re 3.5 years or older for headphone-based diagnostics.

Children from 3.5 Years

At this age, most children can wear headphones, allowing us to conduct Play Audiometry, a more precise test that gives us ear-specific results. We use interactive play
(like dropping blocks or completing tasks when they hear sounds) to keep them engaged while gathering
accurate data.

We also perform tympanometry to check for middle ear issues like fluid buildup or infections, which are common
in young children and can temporarily affect hearing.

Teenagers

Teens receive the same comprehensive testing as adults like air conduction, bone conduction, speech testing, and tympanometry. We take time to explain the process and, if they’ve been exposed to loud music or headphones at high volume, assess for early signs of noise-induced hearing loss and provide guidance on hearing protection.

If any of these sound familiar, a hearing test can give you clarity and a path forward.

What Happens If Hearing Loss in My Child Is Detected?

If we find that your child has hearing loss, we’ll explain the type and degree of loss and what it means for their development. From there, we’ll guide you through the next steps, which may include:

Medical Referral

If the hearing loss is caused by a treatable medical condition (like fluid buildup, ear infection, or structural issues), we’ll refer you to an ENT specialist or your GP for treatment.

Monitoring

For mild or temporary hearing loss, we may recommend monitoring your child’s hearing over time to see if it resolves on its own (common with fluid-related issues).

Further Specialised Testing

In some cases, more detailed testing may be needed. If your child requires specialized pediatric audiology services beyond what we provide, we’ll refer you to Hearing Australia or the Sydney Children’s Hospital, where they can receive comprehensive care.

Understand Your Child's Hearing in 4 Simple Steps

Step 1

Book an Appointment

Call us or book online at a time that works for your family.

Step 2

We Listen to Your Concerns

We’ll discuss what you’ve noticed about your child’s hearing and their medical history to understand their unique situation.

Step 3

We Test Your Child's Hearing

Using age-appropriate, play-based methods, we’ll assess their hearing in a comfortable, child-friendly environment. Everything is painless and non-invasive.

Step 4

You Get Clear Answers

We’ll explain the results in plain language and provide a detailed report to your GP, pediatrician, and any other specialists you’d like involved.

Why Families Across the Shire Trust Us With Their Hearing

We’re not just another hearing clinic. Here’s what makes Shire Hearing different.

Hear it for yourself

Glenda Buckland

“My introduction to Shire Hearing was with my mother who lives in Cronulla, I live in Wollongong. Rachel was very caring with my mother who will be 99 on Anzac Day 2020.

My experience with hearing aids started when I mentioned my tinnitus, during the conversation I realised Rachel was very knowledgeable and she told me when I started to lose my hearing, wearing hearing aids would help. They did!”

Nella Clarke

We had a lovely experience from booking to assessment. The clinic is accessible and they had loads of availability at the Engadine location. The assessor was gentle and relaxed and created a calm and fun environment for our child. 5 stars 🌟

Casey Jo

Honestly the most amazing place to get your hearing tests done ✅. I’ve never felt more welcomed & safe before & highly highly recommend the lovely Krystal @ Engadine Clinic. Such great service and knowledge , I couldn’t recommend enough. Please choose Shire hearing Engadine for your next appointment ❤️.

Mikayla

What a great and calm experience! Krystal connected straight away with my toddler son, She took the time to play and engage with my son other than just for testing.

Usually my son is hard to get to cooperate with visual assessments of his ears, but he was happy and comfortable with Krystal.

Would highly recommend Shire Hearing Engadine!

Emma De Leon

Krystal at Shire Hearing was fantastic with our two neurodiverse boys. She had them cooperating, engaged and interested. And she picked up a previously unknown issue so we can look into it further. Fantastic experience and service!

Rosanne Egan

They are amazing. Any issue with hearing aids they fix for free. Even if it’s just changing the filters. When I was choosing my new hearing aids they lent programmable ones to try and compare. I got the top ones in the end. The programs on the App are also designed just for me which helps adjusting in noisy environments.

Proudly Serving the Sutherland Shire Community

Shire Hearing has two convenient locations in Cronulla and Engadine, making expert hearing care accessible right here in the Shire community.

Cronulla Clinic

Engadine Clinic

FAQs

Give Your Child the Hearing Support They Deserve

If you’ve noticed signs of hearing difficulties, or you simply want peace of mind, we’re here to help. We’ll make the process as comfortable as possible for both you and your child.

Start Hearing Life Clearly Again 

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