Training Transcripts
Transcript for Pure Tones Training
– The final part of auditory screening is, of course, pure tone screening. Pure tone screening is designed to identify communicatively significant hearing loss. An audiometer is used to present specific tones through a set of headphones. The loudness level for pure tone screening is recommended to be 20 dB. Under the conditions in which you’ll be conducting a screening, a child who can hear the pure tone at 20 dB can be considered to have adequate hearing for communication and normal speech and language development. Screening at levels louder than 20 dB may allow children with mild hearing loss to pass the screening when they shouldn’t. Screening at softer levels than 20 dB may produce many unnecessary failures and over referrals. Now, let’s take some time to observe a few actual screenings. Take special notice as to the use of the equipment. Also watch the responses from not only the children, but from the screener. Instructions should be short and simple.
– Show me how you raise your hand. Good girl. That’s good. All right, now you’re going to get to listen for some beep sounds. And every time you hear a beep, I want you to put your hand up fast for me.
– [Presenter] You can use gestures or show the child how to respond.
– Up and then down. That’s good.
– [Presenter] Be sure that the earphones are situated on the child’s head correctly, red for the right ear, blue for the left ear. When doing a few practice presentations, you may want to increase the intensity level to 40 or 50 db. You can then return to 20 dB to begin the screening. Don’t look up at the child with each presentation of the tone. Don’t fall into a rhythmic pattern. Pause at irregular intervals to be sure that the child isn’t falling into a rhythmic response pattern. Don’t ask the child if he or she can hear each sound you present.
– Did you hear that?
– [Presenter] Only accept quick, immediate responses.
– All right.
– [Presenter] Be creative as to what responses you’ll accept from the child.
– Those beeps get tiny. You listen hard. Good girl.
– [Presenter] Learn to use the equipment without looking down at it. Try to keep your eyes fixed on the child as much as possible.
– All right.
– [Presenter] Keep your operating hand and the control panel’s buttons and knobs out of the child’s line of sight.
– Get your arm out so you’re ready.
– To pass the pure tone screening, the child must respond consistently and convincingly to all pure tones presented to both ears. Before we conclude this part of our presentation, let’s keep in mind a few final thoughts. Remember, this is a screening session, not a full diagnostic audiological evaluation. Often, you’ll have many children to screen. No single child should take up a disproportionate amount of time. He either responds or doesn’t, hears or doesn’t hear, passes or fails. Some children present problems that may prohibit pure tone screening. They may be developmentally delayed and just don’t seem to be able to grasp the task. They may be resistant, or they may even have physical limitations. In any event, remember this.