A hearing test will measure a child’s right and left ears to check for hearing loss. The results will help you, the child and their caregiver decide if hearing aids could help.
Instrucciones
Use the hearing test section of the assessment form and check the Grade of hearing loss table to find out if a child has any hearing loss.
Pregunta
What could you do to make it easier for a child with hearing loss to understand what you are saying?
Seleccione dos respuestas.
Si ha seleccionado las respuestas c y d, ¡es correcto!
Sit at the same level as the child. Keep your face in good light while speaking clearly and slowly to make it easier for them to understand what you are saying.
Child-friendly approach
Prepare a child for the hearing test in a simple, fun and playful way.
Show the equipment so they know what will happen during the hearing test.
Instrucciones
Watch this video of a health worker using a child-friendly approach to explain a hearing test.
Pregunta
Look at this picture of a health worker showing equipment using a child-friendly approach.
1. What makes this approach child-friendly?
- Sitting at the child’s level
- Smiling and looking at the child
- Letting the child see the equipment.
2. What are some other ways to reassure a child during a hearing test?
Other ways to reassure a child include:
- Using a friendly voice
- Explaining things slowly and checking that the child has understood
- Telling the child they are doing well.
Cómo hacer la prueba de la capacidad auditiva
When carrying out a hearing test with a child:
- Explique en qué consiste la prueba.
- Haga una prueba preliminar, a manera de práctica.
- Haga la prueba de la capacidad auditiva.
- Calcule el umbral auditivo promedio.
- Anote los resultados de cada oído.
1. Explique en qué consiste la prueba
Explain that you will test the child’s hearing by measuring the quietest sound that they can hear (hearing threshold).
2. Respuesta al examen de práctica
Sit opposite the child so they can see you clearly.
Explicación:
- As soon as you hear the sound, press the response button or raise your hand on the same side as the sound
- Release the button or lower your hand as soon as you no longer hear the sound
- Before putting on the headphones practice the test response
- When the child responds, praise and encourage them.
Consejos
If the child does not respond to the test it may help to:
- Use toys or stickers to encourage the child to participate
- Change the response signal, for example, the child waves their hand or drops a toy when they hear the sound
- Demonstrate with their caregiver
- Show them a video of another child doing the task.
Practice with the child first at 1000 hertz (Hz) and 40 decibels (dB):
- Ask the child to put on the noise cancelling headphones
- Check headphones are in the correct position
- Practice twice in each ear.
Consejos
If the child cannot hear the practice sound, increase the loudness by 10 dB and repeat.
3. Hacer la prueba de la capacidad auditiva
- Put the noise cancelling headphones on the child
- Check headphones are in the correct position
- Start test on the child’s better hearing ear – if better hearing ear is not known, start with their right ear
- Ajuste el selector de frecuencia a 1000Hz y la intensidad a 40 dB.
Consejos
Para obtener resultados más precisos:
- Position yourself so the child cannot see you presenting the sound
- Change the rhythm of how you present the sounds. This is to avoid them guessing when you will present the next sound.
Higher frequency sounds of 1000 Hz are usually easier to hear and give a child confidence at the start of a hearing test.
- Press the button for 2 to 3 seconds and see if the child raises their hand:
- If the child raises their hand, reduce the intensity level by 10 dB
- If the child does not respond, increase the intensity level by 5 dB
- Continue until you find the quietest sound the child can hear:
- Repita el sonido tres veces para confirmar el umbral auditivo.
- If the child responds correctly at least two out of three times at the frequency tested, record threshold on form
- Repita la prueba a 2000 Hz, 4000 Hz y 500 Hz.
- Repeat on the child’s left ear.
Instrucciones
Watch this video of a child having a hearing test.
Actividad
In groups practice carrying out a hearing test with a child who does not have hearing loss.
Preparación:
- Identify a space
- Check sound level is suitable using a sound level meter or downloaded hearWHO:
- Haga clic en “Examine su audición” para acceder al sonómetro.
- Allow permission to measure noise.
Prueba:
- Explain the test in a child-friendly way
- Carry out the test at 1000, 2000, 4000 and 500 Hz on child’s better hearing ear or right ear
- Record the quietest sound the child can hear for each frequency
- Repita el procedimiento con el otro oído.
Grado de confianza en los resultados de la prueba
When carrying out a hearing test, consider how confident you are about the test results.
You may have confidence if the child:
- La persona responde de forma congruente a los sonidos de la prueba.
- Se determina el umbral auditivo para cada frecuencia.
You may have little or no confidence if the child:
- responde de forma aleatoria a los sonidos de la prueba;
- reacciona incluso cuando no se emite ningún sonido;
- solo reacciona cuando ve que la persona a cargo de emitir los sonidos hace algún movimiento.
If you have good test confidence, continue.
If you have poor test confidence after discussing with your mentor refer person to ear and hearing professional.
Advertencia
Los resultados de las pruebas deben ser precisos para programar correctamente los aparatos auditivos.
4. Calcular el promedio del umbral auditivo
- Get the average dB by adding threshold value of 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 4000 Hz then divide by four.
- Compare el promedio de los umbrales del oído derecho y del izquierdo:
- Menos de 15 dB de diferencia Continúe.
- Una diferencia de 15 dB o más Derive a un profesional del oído y la audición.
For children with unilateral (one sided hearing loss) and asymmetrical hearing loss (right and left average thresholds different by more than 15 dB), their needs are more complex. Refer to ear and hearing professional.
Instrucciones
Answer the following questions to test your knowledge from the TAP Preprogrammed hearing aids module.
Pregunta
Meet Anju
Anju is six years old and goes to school.
Anju has received treatment for an ear infection. She returns with her parents to the local health centre for an ear health check and hearing test.
The health worker carries out an ear health screen. Both her ears are healthy. They continue with a hearing test. Anju responds confidently during the hearing test.
Look at her hearing thresholds for each frequency.
| Side | 500 Hz | 1000 Hz | 2000 Hz | 4000 Hz |
| Derecha | 15 | 10 | 20 | 10 |
| Izquierda | 10 | 10 | 15 | 15 |
1. What is the correct average hearing threshold for Anju’s right ear?
13.75 dB is correct!
Es el promedio que se obtiene al sumar todos los números y dividir el resultado entre cuatro.
2. What is the correct average hearing threshold for Anju’s left ear?
12.50 dB is correct!
Es el promedio que se obtiene al sumar todos los números y dividir el resultado entre cuatro.
3. Does Anju have less than 15 dB difference between her right and left ears?
Seleccione una respuesta.
¡“Sí” es la respuesta correcta!
The difference is less than 15 dB. You can continue.
Check the Grade of hearing loss table on the assessment form or below.
| Grado | Promedio |
| Dentro de los parámetros normales | Promedio inferior a 20 dB |
| Pérdida auditiva leve | Promedio entre 20 y 34 dB |
| Pérdida auditiva moderada | Promedio entre 35 y 49 dB |
| Pérdida auditiva moderadamente grave | Promedio entre 50 y 64 dB |
| Pérdida auditiva grave | Promedio entre 65 y 79 dB |
| Pérdida auditiva profunda | Promedio superior a 80 dB |
4. What is the grade of hearing loss for Anju’s right ear?
Seleccione una respuesta.
Normal hearing range is correct!
13.75 dB is in the normal hearing range.
5. What is the grade of hearing loss for Anju’s left ear?
Seleccione una respuesta.
Normal hearing range is correct!
12.50 dB is in the normal hearing range.
5. Anote el resultado correspondiente a cada oído
- Anote los valores promedios de la capacidad auditiva obtenidos en la sección correspondiente a la prueba del formulario.
- Anote el nivel de confianza de la prueba.
- Anote el grado de capacidad auditiva del oído derecho y del izquierdo.
Follow the recommended action for the level of hearing loss found in the Grade of hearing loss table.
Explique los resultados de la prueba
After completing the hearing test and identifying the grade of hearing loss, explain results and whether the child may benefit from hearing aids.
Remember Anju?
You explain the results of Anju’s hearing test to Anju and her parents. Anju’s hearing is normal. She does not require hearing aids.