We look forward to seeing you at our Ivanhoe or Melbourne CBD clinics!
We look forward to seeing you at our Ivanhoe or Melbourne CBD clinics!
For most people, hearing is a vital sense for learning well and relationship building. Sometimes, hearing loss can manifest in other behavioural ways, such as selective listening or poor focus or concentration at school.
If your child has ongoing speech, language or developmental delays, repeated ear infections, or if you have any concerns about their hearing, then a children’s comprehensive hearing assessment will give you assurance and clear next steps.
1 We begin by exploring your child’s hearing and general health backgrounds and help to settle them into the appointment.
✓ Children with hearing difficulties (e.g. if they ignore you when you call them).
✓ Children with frequently blocked ears, ear infections, or who tug on their ears regularly.
✓ Children with unclear speech or language.
✓ Children who seem to hear selectively, or who respond better when looking at you than when called from another room.
✓ If you are exploring grommets for your child, to compare pre- and post-surgery results.
✓ For school-aged children, if they are having trouble at school or in noisy situations.
✓ Ruling out hearing loss when exploring other diagnoses (e.g. neurodivergence, concentration or attention issues).
Your GP may also refer your child to have this assessment if there is any uncertainty about their ear or hearing status.
Obtain a doctor’s referral to ensure Medicare rebates (not required to book, but there’s no rebate without one). Please fill in the intake form sent in your confirmation email and text if you are new, and arrive 5–10 minutes early at our Ivanhoe or Melbourne CBD clinic.
We start by listening to your concerns and your child’s history.
We take images of their ears, assess middle ear function, run an automated hearing check before playing the game that determines how soft your child can hear — working together to get accurate subjective and objective ear and hearing results.
We walk you through what we found and what it means, on the day.
A report is sent to your GP and any referring specialist, usually within 1–2 days. We’ll recommend a follow-up (typically after six weeks) if needed, or suggest a specialist such as an ENT or paediatrician if there are persistent concerns.
Ruby grew up nearby in Macleod and worked regionally in Victoria before joining us. She became an audiologist after seeing the impact of hearing loss on her grandfather, who she’s now able to help. A former tennis coach, she’s excellent with children and puts every patient at ease.
Dr Gerard lives locally and wants to help you and your loved ones hear better for better human relationships and connections. Born hearing impaired, he has worn hearing aids since he was 15, and is passionate about creating the audiology experience he wished his own family had growing up.
261 Waterdale Road, Ivanhoe VIC 3079
Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Free on-site parking, easy access for prams, walkers and wheelchairs.
Suite 207, 488 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tuesday and Thursday, 9:15am – 5:15pm
Trams at the door and two train stations close by — well suited to public transport.
30-minute appointment
New patients
$195
$190
Medicare: a rebate applies with a valid GP or specialist referral — we process your claim on-site. The rebate typically ranges from approximately $45 to $105.
Private Health Insurance: may cover some of this cost depending on your Extras coverage.
Check out our service quality guarantees, funding options, booking terms and conditions, contact details and privacy policy.
No, you do not, but it is necessary to have a referral to access a Medicare rebate.
The referral needs to be from a medical practitioner (eg GP, ENT specialist, Paediatrian). Unfortunately, referrals from allied health professionals (eg Speech Pathologist, Maternal and Child Health Nurse, Psychologist, Occupational Therapists) do not attract Medicare rebates.
Between 3 and 17 years old. Children who are developmentally delayed may perform better with a 0-2 Hearing Assessment instead.
Up to 45 minutes. Appointments are typically quicker if children settle well. We usually have plenty of time after testing to discuss your questions or concerns as well as next steps.
Yes — you’re welcome to bring whoever will help your child feel most settled. Anyone who can help with providing us some child or family history would be helpful. At least one parent or adult guardian must be present at all times.
We suggest booking your child to attend at a time they would be able to concentrate best for testing. We try to keep our procedures as fun and engaging as possible. On some occasions, we simply can’t obtain results due to distress or because they do not wish to complete the tasks. In such instances, we would need to book them in again for a second attempt.
The 0–2 assessment relies only on objective tests that require no active participation from your child. The 3+ assessment includes additional tests like conditioned play audiometry or speech audiometry, which require your child to respond to sounds. If your child is approaching 3 and seems ready for more active participation, we may attempt some of these during the 0–2 appointment.
Hearing loss can be a critical factor that influences how children interpret speech. For example, if a child is mishearing a word, the reason may be how they are hearing the word (due to hearing loss) rather than a pronunciation or speech issue. Resolving the hearing loss can often be enough to resolve the subsequent speech issue.
We rely on both visual cues (such as looking at the ear drum) and objective results from tympanometry and DPOAEs, which can indicate if there is middle ear fluid present and/or a hearing loss.
“Ruby made my daughter feel at ease by engaging with her and clearly explaining everything she was doing. Very impressed with the friendly and professional manner of all the staff.”
Emma – Ivanhoe
“Ruby was very attentive, professional and kept it fun for the children. She answered all our questions, sent her reports rapidly and followed up with specialist recommendations after our appointment.”
Alexandra – Ivanhoe
“Dr Gerard and his team make the experience with their children’s corner, friendly and prompt service and excellent bedside manner, especially with my toddler. Loved having private car parking!”
Zoe – Ivanhoe
“Gerard was friendly, thorough and professional. He reassured my daughter each step of the way and she came out smiling. Sunny on reception gave excellent customer service too. Highly recommend!”
Kirsten – Ivanhoe
For children younger than 3, or who may struggle with performing the activities listed above.
For parents or carers with concerns about their own hearing.
Whether it’s your child’s first ever hearing appointment or a concern about their speech and language development, we know it can feel like a big step. We’ll take it at your pace — and your child’s.
If you have any questions about our Hearing Tests for Children, feel free to reach out to our admin team by phone or email.
