1. Is your child eligible for assessment through the Infant Hearing Program?
a) If your child is under 4 months of age and you suspect a hearing loss, your child is eligible for a hearing screening from your local infant hearing program. If a REFER result is obtained, a referral to an Infant Hearing Program Audiologist will be made.
b) If your child is under 2 years of age and your doctor states there is a risk factor for permanent hearing impairment such as meningitis or a head injury, your child is eligible for an audiology assessment by an IHP trained audiologist.
Services provided by the Infant Hearing Program are publicly-funded so there is not charge to the parent(s)/caregiver(s). If you live in York Region, Durham Region, or Haliburton, Kawarthas, or Pine Ridge areas, contact the Tri-Regional Infant Hearing Program based on your area of residence.
York Region: 905-762-1281 ext. 2810 or Toll Free 1-888-703-5437 #4
Durham Region: 1-800–304-6180 ex. 2341
Haliburton, Kawartha and Pine Ridge: 1-705-748-2337 ex. 457
2. Does your child attend a Children’s Treatment Centre?
Some Children’s Treatment Centres offer audiology services to children (birth to 19 years) with special needs. In Durham, Grandview Children’s Centre offers audiology services to children who are eligible for admission to the Centre. These services are publicly-funded and offered at no cost to the parent(s)/caregiver(s).
3. Does your family doctor refer to an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) or other Specialist who works at a hospital or clinic that provides audiology services?
When an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist is on-site when the hearing assessment is performed, such as in some hospitals or audiology clinics, the service may be insured under OHIP. In order to access an ENT, a referral from the family physician would be required.
A registry of private audiologists practicing in Ontario can be accessed at the Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists at www.OSLA.on.ca. It is important to ask if they have experience with children. You may wish to ask if they are an Infant Hearing Program trained audiologist. |