It is that time of year when schools begin their hearing screenings of their students.
If you are a Teacher for the Deaf (TOD), it is very important that you are a part of that follow-up. It is important to be a part of this process to be sure that families know what steps to take if their child is referred for additional screening/tests.
Here at the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education you can connect with our team of Audiologists to have a hearing screening done for you child, for FREE! To schedule an appointment or to learn more please contact them at: 317-232-7349. If you have a family that is too far from our location here in Indianapolis, you an work to schedule the mobile unit to come to your school district to help check on multiple students.
Click the video below to take a tour of our outfitted RV!
When you reserve the Mobile Unit to your school district, our Center staff will bring their expertise to you! School staff and community partners may join alongside to help address the needs of
children who are deaf and hard of hearing, or have indicated that they needed to be screened additionally from your latest hearing screenings. Having the mobile unit and staff visit will address areas
such as specialized early intervention services, educational audiology,
classroom strategies, communication needs and technology.
Our mobile unit is outfitted with a professional sound booth, audiology equipment for hearing
testing, and troubleshooting hearing technology. It is also equipped with
a consultation area to discuss options and opportunities with our professional and certified staff.
While our Center will assist with the immediate needs the day of our visit,
we will be equally focused on connecting children, families, and
professionals to resources within your community for long-term support.
The Mobile Unit
To schedule and learn more on how this would work in your community, please contact the Center:
Several tones (frequencies) are presented through headphones
The student may raise his/her hand or play a game
For those unable to complete the standard task, other measures may be used
Middle ear function (eardrum mobility) may also be checked using a quick test called tympanometry
WHAT are school hearing screenings?
Quick tests used to identify individuals in need of further audiologic testing
IC 20-34-3-14, Section 14.(a) states each school corporation is required to conduct periodic hearing screenings
These are not comprehensive evaluations and do not diagnosis the presence of hearing loss
WHY do we need school hearing screenings?
Close to 15% of school-age children exhibit some level/type of hearing loss
Any degree of hearing loss can impact a child’s speech, language and academic performance
WHEN are school hearing screenings?
Grades 1, 4, 7, and 10
Hearing screenings should be completed when a new student transfers into the school corporation or if there are concerns regarding a possible hearing loss, regardless of the student’s grade
WHERE should school hearing screenings be completed?
In a quiet area with minimal visual distractions
Away from noisy cafeterias, gymnasiums, ventilation systems, or hallways
A normal hearing individual should conduct a listening check 10 decibels below the screening level to ensure audibility over potential environmental noise
WHO performs school hearing screenings?
Audiologists, speech-language pathologists, nurses or other specifically trained individuals
Program managers who are unfamiliar with appropriate protocol or equipment should consult an audiologist
If notified that your child did not pass the hearing screening, have your child’s hearing evaluated by an audiologist as soon as possible. Share the results with your school.
