Planning next steps
After completing the screening questions, you need to:
- Check if the person has other assistive product needs
- Make a plan with the person about next steps.
Other assistive products
A person may benefit from assistance in other areas.
Instruction
Ask: Do you have difficulty with:
- Vision
- ተንቀሳቃሽነት
- ራስን መንከባከብ
- Communication
- Cognition (thinking/remembering).
If the person tells you they have difficulties in any of these areas, explain that you would like to ask questions to find out more information.
Plan
Instruction
Record the plan at the bottom of the screen form.
Screen
Decide if the person has difficulty in other areas and if they would benefit from a screen for other assistive products.
Instruction
Use the screening tools and/or questions from the other TAP introduction modules to help you.
Remember Malicka?
Malicka is 70 years old. She is a grandmother who lives with her family.
During the ear health screen you ask Malicka if she has any difficulties in other areas. She explains that she has difficulty reading and sewing. She cannot see well enough to sew any more.
You ask more questions and together agree to complete a vision screen to see if vision assistive products or referral to other services may assist.
Assess
If a person’s ears are both healthy, make a plan with them to continue with a hearing test.
Question
Remember John?
Look at the completed ear health check section of John’s ear health screen form.
Would you plan to complete a hearing test for John?
Select one.
Yes is correct!
When John’s ears were checked they looked healthy on both sides. They were also healthy on the inside when viewed through an otoscope. You can continue with a hearing test for John.
Refer
The person’s answers to the screening questions will help you decide if a referral will be helpful.
It is important to know when to refer someone and where to refer them.
- Some people may need treatment for an ear health problem or more specialised care than you or your service can provide. Refer to an ear and hearing professional.
- If a person has already been provided with a hearing aid they will benefit from referral to their existing service provider. Refer to hearing aid service.
- A person may have other needs and benefit from referral to another type of service. Record this on the form.
Referrals should always be discussed and agreed with the person.
Question
Look at the screening questions and read about the people below. Who should be referred to an ear and hearing professional?
1. Ari is 4 years old, attending an ear health screen with her mother.
Should Ari be referred?
Select one.
Yes is correct!
Any child below 5 years old should be referred for assessment by an ear and hearing professional.
2. Jae is a 7 year old schoolboy attending an ear health screen with his father. He has experienced discharge from his ear three times in the past year.
Should Jae be referred?
Select one.
Yes is correct!
Jae is over 5 years in age. However, he experiences repeated discharge in one of his ears and should be referred to an ear and hearing professional.
3. Ahmad is 25 years old and is attending an ear health screen with his caregiver. He cannot speak to communicate.
Should Ahmad be referred?
Select one.
Yes is correct!
Ahmad does not use speech to communicate. He has more complex needs and should be referred to an ear and hearing professional.
4. Farah is a 65 year old grandmother. She explains her family have noticed she has difficulty hearing conversations. She has not experienced discharge or fluid coming out of her ears.
Should Farah be referred?
Select one.
No is correct!
Farah can continue to have an ear health check with her health worker.
Follow up
Repeat ear health screen
- If the person is referred for treatment for an ear health problem, book a repeat ear health screen after their treatment.
- If the person’s ear is healthy, continue to plan a hearing test.
- If the person’s ear is not healthy after treatment, refer the person back to an ear and hearing professional.
Question
Remember Patryk?
Patryk is 6 years old and has been having difficulty hearing at school.
He has come for an ear health screen with his father. He can answer the screening questions. His father confirms he has had repeated ear infections with discharge.
Would you continue with Patryk’s ear health check?
Select one.
No is correct!
You should stop the screen. Explain to Patryk and his father that as he has experienced repeated ear infections, he should be referred to an ear and hearing professional.