Assessment
Through an assessment you will gather information about the child’s hearing and grade of hearing loss.
Information from the assessment will help you and the child’s parent or caregiver to plan:
- If they may benefit from hearing aids:
- What type of hearing aids might be suitable
- What to teach
- Follow up
- Referral to other services.
If the child already has hearing aids and is returning to the service, check whether the hearing aids are meeting their needs. The assessment will help to make decisions about adjusting, repairing or replacing their hearing aids.
Assessment form
The TAP Hearing aids assessment form can be used to support the selection of:
- Preprogrammed hearing aids for adults or
- Programmable hearing aids for children.
The assessment form has space to write notes and make a plan with the child and their caregiver.
Instruction
If you haven’t already, download the TAP Hearing aids assessment form and print a copy.
Whenever you see this icon on the form, it means that the child may need referral.
Prepare the room
Find a quiet, private room with a table and chairs to sit with the child and their caregiver.
Instruction
Answer the following questions to test your knowledge from the TAP Preprogrammed hearing aids module.
Question
Which of the following should be done before carrying out a hearing test for a child?
Select and click to check answers.
Incorrect.
This is done after the hearing test.
Correct!
It is important to check hearing test equipment every day before use.
Correct!
Always do an ear health screen to check a child’s ears before a hearing test.
If a child has an ear health problem, it may make the hearing test result worse.
Correct!
The noise level should be less than 40 dB. Noise in the environment will affect the test result.
Instruction
If you did not get the correct answers, review the TAP Preprogrammed hearing aids module.
Hearing test equipment
To carry out a hearing test you will need:
- An audiometer
- Noise cancelling headphones
- Response button or an agreed signal. For example, a child may:
- Raise their hand
- Hold up a toy.
Prepare the child
Explain to the child: The hearing test and questions help to identify if they may benefit from hearing aids and what type of hearing aids may be suitable.
Involve the child and their caregiver.
Instruction
The next topics will explain more about the hearing test and how the results can guide the selection of programmable hearing aids.