If you’ve noticed your child asking for things to be repeated, struggling to follow instructions in noisy classrooms, or seeming to tune out even when their hearing appears normal, it may be worth getting their hearing and listening assessed.
Newcastle Hearing Centre for Children provides specialist paediatric audiology services for babies, children, teenagers, and families across the Newcastle and Hunter region.
Their team supports children with hearing concerns, listening difficulties, and Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), using advanced assessment technology and a compassionate, child-friendly approach that makes the process as comfortable as possible for kids of all ages.
No referral is needed to make an appointment and in some cases, a Medicare rebate may apply with a valid referral.
Coordinated Care for Hunter Families
Newcastle Hearing Centre for Children works closely with local ENT surgeons, paediatricians, and allied health professionals to make sure families receive clear communication and coordinated support at every step.
Using advanced assessment technology, they are able to provide accurate hearing and listening assessments and tailor follow-up care to each child’s individual needs.
Whether a child needs an early diagnostic assessment, ongoing monitoring, or support with more complex hearing concerns, the Newcastle Hearing Centre for Children team is here to listen, guide, and help families feel confident about the next steps in their child’s hearing journey.
Common Questions from Newcastle Families
What signs should parents look out for that might suggest their child has a hearing or listening difficulty?
Parents may notice their child asks for repetition, seems to “tune out,” has trouble following instructions, struggles in noisy environments, or appears to hear some things but miss others. Some children may also have difficulty with speech, attention, or learning at school.
How can hearing difficulties affect a child’s day-to-day life?
Hearing and listening difficulties can affect communication at home, learning at school, social confidence, and the ability to follow instructions. Children may find noisy classrooms, group settings, and conversations with background noise particularly challenging.
At what age can a child have a hearing assessment?
Children can be assessed at a wide range of ages depending on their needs and concerns. We can assess newborn babies (following a SWISH hearing test), young children, and school-aged children up to 17 years of age, with testing tailored to suit the child’s age and development.
What kind of hearing assessments do you perform for children?
We offer a range of paediatric hearing assessments tailored to each child’s age and needs. For younger children, we provide play-based hearing tests and Visually Reinforced Orientation Audiometry (VROA) assessments to help make the experience fun, engaging, and as seamless as possible. We also perform middle ear testing and other specialised audiology assessments depending on the child’s presenting concerns.
What services do you offer for children with hearing and listening difficulties?
We provide specialist hearing assessments, APD assessments, ongoing monitoring, and support for families managing hearing and listening concerns. We also work closely with referring health professionals to ensure coordinated care.
What is Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), and how is it different from standard hearing loss?
APD is when the brain has difficulty processing sounds, even when the ears themselves are working normally. This is different from hearing loss, which involves reduced hearing sensitivity. A child with APD may hear sounds (and have a ‘normal’ hearing test) but have trouble understanding or making sense of them, especially in busy or noisy environments.
What does an APD assessment involve, and what can parents expect on the day?
An APD assessment usually involves a series of listening tasks designed to assess how a child processes sounds. The appointment is carefully planned to suit the child’s age and attention span, and parents will be guided through the process beforehand so they know what to expect.
How do families access your services — do you need a referral?
Families can contact us directly to enquire about appointments, a referral is not required, however with a valid referral a Medicare rebate may be applicable for some testing. We are happy to help guide families through the process.
Find out more
Newcastle Hearing Centre for Children
Level 1, 218 Pacific Highway, Charlestown NSW
Phone: 02 4047 2111
Website