March, 2017       

Probes & Tips header
ECHO Initiative  Events 
* * * * * * * * * *   
New OAE Training
Web Class: 

Four Sessions
:
Apr. 24, Apr. 27, May 1, and May 4, 2017
1 p.m. EST
  
* * * * * * * * *   
New Live Webinars 
 
Introductory Webinar: 

Thursday, March 9, 2017 
1:00 p.m. ET 

* * * * * * * * * *   
Intermediate Level Webinar:  

Thursday, March 16, 2017
 1:00 p.m. ET


* * * * * * * * * *
NEW Coffee Break Mini-Webinar
Middle Ear Infections: Implications for Hearing Screening and Follow-up

Thursday, April 13, 2017
1-1:15 p.m. EST

  ====================  
ECHO Initiative
Link to Previous Recorded Webinars:

If you've missed any of 
our previous webinars, 
click here to access our library of previously recorded webinars.

New to 
OAE Screening? 

I f your program is new to OAE screening, or if you have added new staff who need instruction on OAE 
screening practices,  
visit our 
where staff can view instructional video modules and access the corresponding 
resources. 
Quick Links

 

Find more helpful hints from previous issues of

 Probes and Tips 

and many other
resources at:  

 www.kidshearing.org 


masthead 3-green

 

Join Our Mailing List  

 

Tip of the Month
New Resources to Prepare Parents 
for a Child's Audiological Evaluation   
   
Most children will pass a simple hearing screening, but those who do not need further evaluation. The final step may require referral to a pediatric audiologist. Our colleagues at Utah State University recently developed some great resources to help parents know what to expect during an audiologic evaluation. Familiarizing parents in advance with what a sound booth looks like, and what to expect during their child's evaluation, can help them to feel comfortable making an appointment and completing the assessment. And, if the parent is relaxed during the visit to the audiologist, it will help the child to relax and engage in the testing process.
 
Available in English (www.heartolearn.org) and Spanish (www.oirparaaprender.org), these videos describe in simple language the behavioral assessments that a pediatric audiologist may employ to evaluate a child's hearing:
 

Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA), used with infants and toddlers 6 mos. - 2 ½ yrs. of age, involves teaching the child to turn to look at a visually reinforcing toy or animated object whenever a sound is heard.  The audiologist then presents a series of sounds and documents the child's response or lack of response.  

 

Conditioned Play Audiometry (CPA), used with toddlers & young children 24 mos. - 5 yrs. of age, involves teaching a child to drop a toy in a bucket (or some other enjoyable activity) whenever a sound is heard. The audiologist then presents a series of sounds and documents the child's response or lack of response.    

 
Typically, assessment responses will be charted on an audiogram. The audiogram, along with additional information obtained from Otoacoustic Emissions and Tympanometry procedures, will be used to determine the hearing status of each ear.   
 
If a hearing loss is diagnosed and hearing aids are recommended, additional videos describe hearing aid use and hearing aid care. These resources will be equally helpful to parents and early care and education providers. 
Probe of the Month
Do you need assistance understanding
the audiological evaluation process or serving a child with a hearing loss? 
  

Let us know at:  
 
   echo.ncham@usu.edu    
   
And, as always, share www.KidsHearing.org with anyone you think would benefit from our resources.     

 ECHO - Headstart



ncham logo
2615 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322

Probes and Tips is a newsletter from the ECHO Initiative that provides monthly TIPS

to enhance early childhood hearing screening and follow-up practices and PROBES

 about current activities so we can learn from one another's successes and challenges.