It can be a shock when your child fails their school hearing evaluation. This is especially true if you haven't noticed any signs of hearing loss in your child. If your child's test results indicate that they may have a hearing impairment, it is important to know what comes next and how to seek further help from an audiologist.
What Are School Hearing Evaluations?
School hearing evaluations are mandatory hearing screenings typically done when a child reaches school age. The federal government requires the screenings, but each state determines the age and frequency of the testing. The purpose of the testing is to identify any children who may have a hearing impairment that could interfere with their learning.
How Do Schools Test for Hearing Loss?
Most schools will use a screening tool known as an audiometer. This testing is used to detect any potential hearing loss or abnormalities in children's ears. The brief test is typically administered by a nurse, school administrator, or even a trained parent volunteer and involves having the child listen to sounds through headphones.
What Are the Differences Between School Testing and Audiologist Testing?
It is important to note that school screenings are only meant to detect potential issues with a student's hearing, not diagnose them. Therefore, if the results are outside the normal range, it is recommended that parents take their child to an audiologist for more thorough testing and diagnosis.
An audiologist specializes in diagnosing and treating hearing conditions and can determine if any underlying medical issues are causing the problem. They can also provide recommendations for treatment options such as hearing aids or other assistive devices.
What Are Hearing Aid Evaluations?
If your audiologist finds that your child needs a hearing aid, they will conduct a hearing aid evaluation to find the best device for them. This process involves assessing their specific needs in terms of their level of impairment, lifestyle activities, daily environment, and more so that they can find the most suitable device for them. The evaluation process also helps identify any potential challenges associated with using the device so that those can be addressed ahead of time before getting fitted with it.
Failing a school hearing evaluation can be very concerning for parents, but it doesn't necessarily mean there's something wrong with your child's ears. It simply means that further testing and potential hearing aid evaluations should be done by an audiologist. With proper care from an experienced professional, you can ensure that your child gets the best treatment possible.
To learn more, contact a professional hearing service in your area such as Audiology Services.
Share6 January 2023
