ECHO Initiative Events
New ECHO Webinars:
Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018
2
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3 p.m. ET
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Tuesday, October 2, 2018
2
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3:30 p.m. ET
* * * * * * * * * * *
Next OAE Training
Web Class:
Four Sessions
:
Oct. 29th, Nov. 1st,
5th, and 8th, 2018
2p.m. EDT
Link to Previous
Recorded Webinars:
If you've missed any of
our previous webinars,
click here to access our library of previously
recorded webinars.
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I
f your program is new to OAE screening, or if you have added new staff who need instruction on OAE screening practices,
where staff can view instructional video modules
and access the
corresponding resources.
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Quick Links
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|  Find more helpful hints from previous issues of Probes and Tips and many other
resources at: www.kidshearing.org |
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Rely on Hearing Screening Tools Endorsed by Professional Organizations
As early care and education programs across the country purchase hearing screening equipment, vendors are often eager to market a variety of tools that may seem appealing at face value. One tool that we often get questions about is called "select picture audiometry." We'll explain why this is not the primary screening method your program should rely on.
In most early childhood settings, the primary purpose of hearing screening is to help identify children who may be hard of hearing or deaf, and to provide these children wit
h the evaluation and support they need to thrive.
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OAE screening |
Professional organizations, comprised of a
ud
iologist
s and other hearing/language specialists, actively review
research findings related to
screening methods and have en
dorsed the following for use with young children:
Select picture audiometry involves presenting a word to the child and having the child correctly select a picture in response. Although this may provide some supplemental information about a child's ability to process language, it is not an adequate hearing screening procedure.
One reason for this is that some children have a hearing loss that affects a specific range of frequencies (pitches). For example, a child may be able to hear the lower-frequency sounds of speech, such as vowel sounds, while being unable to clearly hear higher-pitched consonants. Picture audiometry allows the child to guess the correct answer based on the part of the word they were able to hear. Another drawback is that the child's response is based not only on hearing, but also on vocabulary knowledge and an ability to recognize visual depictions.
Using an endorsed screening tool is one aspect of conducting valid and reliable hearing screening. Making sure that screeners are well trained, are following a screening protocol, and that children who are referred from screening are receiving follow-up diagnosis and treatment, is equally important.
Remember that the ECHO Initiative has resources to assist you in successfully conducting OAE or Pure Tone screenings. As you prepare to engage in screening in the coming months, your staff can benefit from reviewing a Get Ready for Screening checklist.
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Have any questions about screening methods you would like to have answered?
Let us know at:
And, as always, share
www.KidsHearing.org
with anyone you think would benefit from our resources.
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2615 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322
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