We are a practice of Paediatric Audiologists who specialise in providing hearing screening programs for schools throughout England, Scotland and Wales. We have been providing hearing screening programs to independent schools since 2004.
Since then we have tested the hearing of thousands of school children. We have identified hundreds of children with various types of hearing difficulties and assisted them on the path to a healthy and full classroom experience.
The Challenge of Hearing in the Classroom….
A child’s hearing may change over time, often without a teacher or a parent noticing. Even if a child passed their hearing test at birth and again at nine months, they should be monitored as they embark on their school careers.
Hearing difficulties, even temporary ones, have a significant impact on a child’s ability to learn. A child with a hearing loss can experience speech and language delays, educational difficulties and behaviour problems. A hearing loss can mask other sorts of learning challenges. If hearing issues are not correctly identified early in a child’s development the child will frequently be ‘left behind’ and may find it difficult, if not impossible, to ever regain their lost academic ground.
Children usually don’t know that their hearing is less than typical. Unidentified hearing losses may also result in children not recovering emotionally from the loss of confidence experienced during the years of unidentified hearing challenges.
In order for learning support to be effectively implemented the hearing impairment must therefore be correctly diagnosed.
We provide semi-annual hearing screening clinics within school settings. Our hearing screening is suitable for all children from Reception all the way to Sixth Form.
It is imperative that children who are not hearing very well are identified as they begin their school careers. A school-based hearing screening program ensures that children who have a hearing loss, even a temporary one, are identified and managed in a timeous manner to minimise the negative effects on their academic and social progress.
It is most helpful for teachers and parents to know what children can hear when they start school. To this end most schools request that all new pupils receive a hearing screening early in the year. Those who need to be re-evaluated can be tested again six months later.
The hearing testing itself is quick and completely non-invasive. We conduct an examination of the outer ear canal, a check of the movement of the eardrum and the middle ear. Lastly we conduct a pure tone hearing screening test.
If a child does not pass the hearing screening the audiologist will advise one of two approaches: close monitoring and a re-test in six months; or a referral to an Ear Nose and Throat specialist.
The advantages of conducting hearing checks at school:
• The testing is significantly less expensive than a visit to an ENT (if using private medical).
• The school based screening avoids the long waiting periods for referrals within the NHS.
• The school day is not disrupted for a doctor’s visit.
While the audiologist is visiting the school, s/he will also be available to make customised swim
plugs for all students who enjoy swimming. These swim plugs are a popular method of preventing waterborne infections.
The service provided by Audiology Screening does not cost the school anything. Parents pay the Audiologist directly at the time of the testing.
