Hearing is a critical sense of a human being. Ability to hear, especially in children, is crucial in the process of developing adequate communication, language and speech (Northern & Downs, 2014). Timely and accurate identification of hearing loss facilitates early intervention and appropriate educational support, which allow children to reach their full potential (Northern & Downs, 2014). Assessing hearing in children is a complex process, which requires a comprehensive holistic approach. There is a number of audiological examinations which can establish the presence and degree of hearing loss (Northern & Downs, 2014). All hearing tests, however, have its advantages and limitations (Northern & Downs, 2014). Northern and Downs (2014) emphasise
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In addition, a full audiological paediatric assessment requires from the audiologist taking into consideration patient’s medical history, understanding of child’s developmental and behaviour milestones, and sound knowledge of processes and procedures that are involved in hearing testing (Northern & Downs, 2014). Northern and Downs (2014) outline that understanding patient’s background will facilitate the appropriate selection of hearing tests. Furthermore, working with paediatric patients requires from clinicians a capability to establish a good rapport with the child and the family, excellent communication skills and the ability to think critically (Northern & Downs, 2014). The following report will summarise and discuss the main futures of several diagnostics hearing tests demonstrated in the course video …show more content…
All these steps are taken to obtain the most accurate diagnosis. The clinician communicates to the child and the caregiver in a friendly, easy-to-understand manner in order to explain the procedure and to obtain a verbal consent. Firstly, the audiologist collects related information from the child’s caregiver using brief closed questions. Northern and Downs (2014) point out that gathering relevant information in relation to child’s medical history, developmental milestones, parental concerns and more, is vital to building rapport with the patient and the family, understanding child’s behaviour, selecting more suitable tests and obtaining a correct diagnosis. Next, the otoscopic examination is performed using an otoscope. As was mentioned earlier, in order to exclude possible structural abnormalities that may affect test results, otoscopy should be included in any paediatric auditory assessment (Northern & Downs, 2014). After the clinician is satisfied with the findings, tympanometry is performed. Tympanometry is a part of a physiological objective hearing test called Acoustic Immittance Audiometry that evaluates a middle ear function, in particular, tympanic membrane mobility and the conduction bones movements are tested (Bowen, 2015). Transmission of energy through the middle ear created by changes in air
In addition, a full audiological paediatric assessment requires from the audiologist taking into consideration patient’s medical history, understanding of child’s developmental and behaviour milestones, and sound knowledge of processes and procedures that are involved in hearing testing (Northern & Downs, 2014). Northern and Downs (2014) outline that understanding patient’s background will facilitate the appropriate selection of hearing tests. Furthermore, working with paediatric patients requires from clinicians a capability to establish a good rapport with the child and the family, excellent communication skills and the ability to think critically (Northern & Downs, 2014). The following report will summarise and discuss the main futures of several diagnostics hearing tests demonstrated in the course video …show more content…
All these steps are taken to obtain the most accurate diagnosis. The clinician communicates to the child and the caregiver in a friendly, easy-to-understand manner in order to explain the procedure and to obtain a verbal consent. Firstly, the audiologist collects related information from the child’s caregiver using brief closed questions. Northern and Downs (2014) point out that gathering relevant information in relation to child’s medical history, developmental milestones, parental concerns and more, is vital to building rapport with the patient and the family, understanding child’s behaviour, selecting more suitable tests and obtaining a correct diagnosis. Next, the otoscopic examination is performed using an otoscope. As was mentioned earlier, in order to exclude possible structural abnormalities that may affect test results, otoscopy should be included in any paediatric auditory assessment (Northern & Downs, 2014). After the clinician is satisfied with the findings, tympanometry is performed. Tympanometry is a part of a physiological objective hearing test called Acoustic Immittance Audiometry that evaluates a middle ear function, in particular, tympanic membrane mobility and the conduction bones movements are tested (Bowen, 2015). Transmission of energy through the middle ear created by changes in air