Early Childhood Hearing Screening in Colorado

Screening Mandates

• Newborn• Grades K, 1,2,3,5,7,9• Child Find

BUT A GAP STILL EXISTS!

Screening Resources

• Early Childhood Hearing Screening Guidelines– http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdesped/Audiology.asp– http://

www.earlychildhoodconnections.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=service.content&linkid=55

• HCP Regional Audiology Coordinators• Educational Audiologists

Purpose of Screening

• To determine if further testing or medical attention is necessary (REFER)

• To rule out hearing loss as a possible impact on a child’s development (PASS)

Hearing Screening Components

• History• Visual Inspection• Audiometric Screening• Immittance Screening (tympanogram)

(PAGE 5 of Guidelines)

History

• Parent Questionnaire

• Page 32 of guidelines

Visual Inspection

-Structural abnormalities-Drainage

Audiometry

• Conventional pure tone screening– 20dB @ 1000,

2000, 4000 Hz. Frequencies

ALL SOUNDS MUST BE HEARD

IN BOTH EARS TO PASS!

• Non-Conventional OAE screening– As appropriate –

automated pass/refer

Tympanometry

• Way to assess function of outer and middle ear function

Flowchart & Follow - Up

• Page 11 & 12 of guidelines

• All children who do not pass should be rescreened within 2 to 4 weeks unless referred for immediate medical or audiology evaluation

Equipment

• Pure tone audiometer

• Tympanometer

•Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs)

Training Resources

WHO can assist with training?• HCP Regional Audiologist• Educational/School District Audiologist• CDE Audiology Consultant:

– Lisa Cannon (Lisa_Cannon@dpsk12.org)

• Previously trained screener

• Screener MUST receive appropriate training

Q & A