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You celebrate every sound your baby makes—from the first cry to the first giggle. But what if something seems off? Maybe they’re not responding to your voice, or their speech isn’t developing like you expected. These moments can raise big questions—especially when it comes to your child’s hearing health . One of the most important, yet often overlooked, parts of early childhood care is the hearing test . Knowing when and how often your child should have their hearing tested can make all the difference in their ability to learn, speak, and connect. At Flex VRA , we specialize in child-friendly hearing assessments designed to detect issues early—when support can be most effective. Let’s break down the recommended timeline for hearing tests and how to know if your child needs one. Why Early Hearing Tests Matter Hearing is the foundation for your child’s language, social, and emotional development. If a child can’t hear clearly, it can affect how they learn to speak, connect with others, and interact with the world around them. In fact, according to the   American Academy of Pediatrics , early detection of hearing loss—preferably before 3 months of age—leads to better outcomes for speech and language development.  That’s why newborn hearing screening is now standard practice in hospitals across the U.S. Recommended Hearing Test Timeline Here’s a breakdown of when your child should get hearing tests: Newborn Screening (Birth–1 Month) Most babies receive a hearing screening before leaving the hospital . If your baby didn’t, or if you’re unsure of the results, schedule one right away. These tests are painless and only take a few minutes. Follow-Up Testing (By 3 Months) If your baby didn’t pass the initial screening, a comprehensive diagnostic test  should be done by 3 months of age to confirm whether hearing loss is present. Infants and Toddlers (6 Months – 3 Years) Even if your child passed their newborn screening, it’s important to monitor for developmental signs and schedule tests if you notice delays in speech, lack of response to sounds, or ear infections. Preschool and Beyond (4–5 Years) Routine hearing tests before starting school help ensure your child can thrive in learning environments. Many pediatricians or school systems include these screenings as part of a regular checkup. You can read more about hearing development and milestones at   KidsHealth’s Hearing Guide for Parents . What Hearing Tests Look Like at Different Ages At Flex VRA, we use age-appropriate techniques  to assess hearing in children of all developmental stages: Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA)  for infants and toddlers Conditioned Play Audiometry  for preschoolers Standard Audiometry  for older children and teens Each test is designed to be fun, stress-free, and highly accurate—giving both you and your child confidence in the results. Signs Your Child May Need a Hearing Test Sooner Even if your child has passed early screenings, keep an eye out for: Speech delays or unclear speech Frequent ear infections Not responding to their name Turning up the volume excessively Difficulty following instructions If you notice any of these signs, trust your instincts and schedule a hearing evaluation. Early action leads to better outcomes. Schedule a Hearing Test Today Hearing tests are one of the most powerful tools we have to support your child’s development. If it’s time for a screening—or if you’re concerned about your child’s hearing— contact your local audiologist today .

Introduction: Engagement Is Everything in Pediatric Audiology In pediatric audiology, keeping a child’s attention  during testing can be the difference between a successful appointment and inconclusive results. Traditional animated toys and static visual cues often fail to hold interest, especially for children with sensory needs, autism, or Down syndrome. That’s where Hey Bear Sensory Toys , now exclusively integrated into the Flex VRA system , are making a difference. By combining engaging sensory video content  with Flex VRA’s cutting-edge technology, audiologists can deliver a more accurate, enjoyable, and stress-free testing experience for their youngest patients. What Are Hey Bear Sensory Toys? Hey Bear Sensory Toys  aren’t your average clinic distraction tools. Designed by Hey Bear Sensory — a YouTube sensation with over 3 million subscribers and 2.5 billion views — these colorful, rhythmic, and visually stimulating characters (often dancing fruits and vegetables) are specifically crafted to captivate young minds. Their vibrant colors, smooth animations, and synchronized music create an ideal visual reinforcement tool  for audiology testing, especially for: Infants and toddlers Children on the autism spectrum Kids with sensory processing challenges Children with Down syndrome Why Hey Bear Sensory Toys Excel in Visual Reinforcement Audiometry Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA)  depends on rewarding a child’s correct head turn toward a sound source with an engaging visual stimulus. When the stimulus is boring or repetitive, participation drops — and so does test accuracy. Here’s why Hey Bear Sensory Toys   stand out: 1. Instant Attention-Grabbing Content The bright colors, smiling characters, and rhythmic music immediately capture attention, even for children with short attention spans. 2. Longer Engagement Time Instead of losing interest after a few trials, children often want “more,” helping audiologists collect more reliable data in fewer sessions. 3. Sensory-Friendly Design The animations are smooth, predictable, and non-threatening, making them suitable for children with sensory sensitivities. 4. Customizable for Each Child Through the Flex VRA interface , audiologists can select and tailor Hey Bear clips based on the child’s preferences, increasing cooperation. Real-World Results From Audiologists Audiologists nationwide are seeing dramatic improvements: “My 4-year-old son with Down Syndrome… was excited and attentive… Definitely the most willing participation we’ve ever had from him at an audiology screening!” — Parent testimonial via Instagram @flexvra “We LOVE the new Flex VRA system… It has definitely improved patient engagement and reliability of results.” — Brooke Hammond, Au.D., Primary Children’s Hospital These results aren’t just about keeping kids happy — they directly impact test accuracy, appointment efficiency, and clinical workflow . The Flex VRA + Hey Bear Sensory Advantage Flex VRA is the only VRA system with an exclusive content licensing agreement  with Hey Bear Sensory, meaning your clinic gets high-quality, preloaded content ready to use from day one. With Flex VRA, audiologists can: Instantly switch between Hey Bear Sensory videos and other reward options Control lights, volume, and video playback from a single remote Use the same system for BOA, VRA, OAE , and ABR preparation Keep children engaged even during otoscopy and tympanometry Why This Matters for Your Clinic Incorporating Hey Bear Sensory Toys  into your audiology practice isn’t just a “fun” upgrade — it’s a clinical improvement . Engaged children mean: Fewer retests More reliable thresholds Shorter appointment times Happier families who recommend your clinic Final Thoughts Hey Bear Sensory Toys  have redefined what’s possible in pediatric audiology. By pairing their captivating content with Flex VRA’s advanced technology , audiologists can create a testing environment where children are relaxed, engaged, and eager to participate. If your clinic is ready to take Visual Reinforcement Audiometry  to the next level, it’s time to experience the Flex VRA + Hey Bear Sensory  difference. Learn how Flex VRA can transform your pediatric audiology testing.   Request a Quote Today  and see why clinics nationwide are making the switch.

In pediatric audiology, even the smallest interruption can impact the accuracy of a Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) test. That’s why Flex VRA includes a simple way to protect your on-screen controls from curious little hands—perfect for clinics where the touchscreen might be within a child’s reach. The Problem During pediatric hearing tests, young patients are naturally drawn to bright, interactive displays. A single accidental tap can bring up menus, alter settings, or interrupt the flow of your VRA session. The Solution With Flex VRA’s Service Menu Access setting, you can lock down the touchscreen so that the on-screen menu only appears with a deliberate long press in the top-left corner. Accidental touches are ignored—no more sudden menu pop-ups during testing. Only trained staff can access settings, ensuring every visual reinforcement audiometry session runs smoothly. How to Enable Touchscreen Lock in Flex VRA Go to the Setup Menu on your Flex VRA system. Find Service Menu Access. Change the setting to long touch on top-left corner. Press "Play VRA" Button. How to lock your Flex VRA touch screen monitor Why Clinics Love This Feature Improved Test Accuracy – Keeps your pediatric audiology testing free from distractions. Professional Control – Only your team can access sensitive settings. Better Patient Experience – Children stay engaged with the VRA stimulus, not the menu. Flex VRA is built for the unique demands of pediatric hearing testing, giving audiologists reliable tools to deliver accurate results—without the interruptions.

I'm excited to see our most recent project, FlexCam, being installed and trialed at our test clinic! 170 degree image, real-time display on the PC (no image delay), and sits on-top of your screen so you can test and view at the same time! We hope this assists in the testing procedure for audiologist doing visual reinforcement audiometry, research, or who do not have a clear view of the patient from the booth window.

We are happy to announce that Flex VRA is now capable of direct integration into the Grason-Stadler Audiostar Pro (Versions 1 and 2)! All that is needed is the purchase of our Flex integration cable and you're all set! For more information, please contact your local equipment representative.

Our most recent endeavor was a request directly from "the field." The concern being that between having three Flex monitors in the booth, speakers, and an in booth monitor to mirror the computer screen for counseling and viewing testing results, there was simply too much "stuff" on the booth walls. "It sure would be nice if one of the VRA monitors could just double as our in booth monitor!" We are happy and excited to offer the Flex Screen Mirror option an all new and existing Flex system! https://youtu.be/GBTjU9Wjchg