Hearing Conservation |
“The student failed hearing tests in early grades and told the nurse how very hard school was. Now in high school, this student was confirmed to have a significant hearing deficit, had learned to read lips, but of course school was hard when one can’t hear! Had the student been treated earlier, there may not be such significant hearing loss today.” RN Assessment
A hearing loss may negatively affect the potential to learn. Hearing screening is offered all pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, 1st grade, and referred students. One audiologist evaluates students with abnormal results. Services include:
- Individual pure tone screenings
- Air conduction evaluation for students with abnormal screening results
- Audiologic assessment, including pure tone threshold audiometry by aid and bone conduction, otoscopic evaluation and tympanometry
- Referral of students, as appropriate, to physicians, speech and language specialists, and private audiologists
Data:
- 14,841 students screened.
- 2,628 students tested at school by the audiologist.
- 51 students tested at the office in a sound proof booth by the audiologist.
- 360 referred students had recommendations for preferred classroom seating.
- 362 students (13%) referred for medical evaluation.
- 24 (7%) referred students known to receive treatment.
Outcomes:
- Students obtained hearing aids and other necessary treatment.
- Parents’ comments were positive and supportive of the program.
- Office testing continues to be available to students.
