Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA)
For babies and toddlers. Sounds are played and, when your child turns towards them, they are rewarded with a lit-up puppet or a short video. This tells us the quietest sounds your child can hear.
Children's Hearing Tests and VRA at Our Edgware Clinic
A full range of hearing assessments for babies, toddlers and children, at our clinic in Edgware.
Our clinic is led by Joseph Schneck, an HCPC-registered Senior Clinical Scientist at one of London's leading paediatric NHS hospitals. Our senior paediatric audiologists work in London's leading NHS specialist paediatric hospitals and audiology departments. We choose the right test for your child's age and development, and explain the results to you.
At our clinic
VRA hearing tests for babies and toddlers
Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) is the standard way to test the hearing of babies and young children who are too young for a conventional hearing test.
Your child sits on your lap while sounds are played. When they turn towards a sound, they are rewarded with a lit-up puppet or a short video. As the sounds get quieter, we find the quietest sounds your child can hear.
We use our own VRA reward systems, the same equipment VRA Systems Limited supplies to paediatric audiology departments across the UK.
VRA testing in action using our first generation VRA Systems.
Our paediatric hearing assessments
The full set of hearing tests for children, chosen to suit your child.
Play audiometry
For pre-school children. Listening becomes a game: your child puts a peg in a board or a toy in a box each time they hear a sound.
Pure tone audiometry
For older children who can respond to sounds through headphones, giving a full hearing test for each ear.
Tympanometry
A quick, painless check of how the eardrum and middle ear are working, for example to look for fluid behind the eardrum (glue ear).
Otoacoustic emissions (OAE)
A quick test of how the inner ear responds to sound, using a soft earpiece. Your child does not need to respond, so it suits babies and young children.
Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)
For babies and children who are not suited to standard testing. Available at our clinic or in your home.
ABR testing at home or in clinicEar wax removal for children
Our audiologists have experience of paediatric ear wax removal and use gentle microsuction.
Microsuction ear wax removalOur Edgware clinic
96 Edgware Way, Edgware HA8 8JS (entrance via Spinelab)
- Monday – Thursday
- 8am – 9pm
- Friday
- 8am – 3:15pm
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- 9am – 9pm
Open in Google Maps for directions · 96 Edgware Way, Edgware HA8 8JS (entrance via Spinelab)
Children's hearing tests: questions
What age can you test?
We test children of all ages, from babies to teenagers. We choose the test to suit your child’s age and development, for example VRA for babies and toddlers and play audiometry for pre-school children.
What is VRA testing?
Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) is a hearing test for babies and toddlers. When your child turns towards a sound, they are rewarded with a lit-up puppet or a video. It shows the quietest sounds your child can hear.
Where do the tests take place?
At our clinic at 96 Edgware Way, Edgware HA8 8JS (entrance via Spinelab). ABR testing is also available in your home.
How do I book?
Call us on 020 8168 0188 and we will find a suitable appointment for your child.