CHARGE Syndrome Canada
Newsletter
Winter 2007
Vol. 1 No.13 © copywrite
Dr. Blake's presentation brief from the National CHARGE syndrome workshop
Research studies need participation
Developing an auditory training program
Past Edition of the Newsletter
Developing an Auditory Training Program
by Ann Gloyn, Education Specialist
Children who are born with combined vision, hearing and other sensory losses present unique challenges for educators. The degree of vision or hearing loss, and the types of losses will vary widely. This means that there is no general rule, and functional assessment is key to the decision on deciding on program needs.
Information on the amount of residual hearing is usually gained from a "Brain Stem Evoked Response Audiometry (ABR) test that is done in infancy while the child is sleeping. Historically these tests usually "under-estimate" the childs true hearing potential.
Helping the child make use of residual hearing is a key developmental area of focus as early as possible. The lack of natural curiosity because hearing and sight may be diminished may lead some to believe that the child may be "non-hearing" until techniques are utilized which stimulate the child in many ways. Concentration needed for incomplete visual information may cause other senses to be "ignored" or "tuned-out", and the child may have the ability to only attend to one sense at a time. With skillful play, a child can explore sound and its relationships so that it begins to have meaning and be worth attending to.
In a planned audiology program, early structured practice of play audiometry techniques are useful. With support, the child can become familiar with certain play-oriented tasks, and the requirement is then built in that they perform the tasks response to various sounds. Assessment could be a life-long process, and delay in expresive language and lack of verbal skills may mean play audiometry will help guide the audiologist to a decision on appropriate amplification systems.
CLICK HERE FOR >GENERAL SUGGESTIONS FOR PROGRAM
CLICK HERE FOR >QUESTIONS TO ASK
CLICK HERE FOR >STAGES OF AUDITORY PROGRESSION
CLICK HERE FOR >FUNCTIONAL AUDITORY ASSESSMENT
CLICK HERE FOR >SAMPLE AUDITORY PROGRAM
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