Tel: 336-834-3112
Services
A hearing screening component is vital to a comprehensive Educational Audiology Program. Students who have hearing loss are at risk for academic problems. The students that have hearing loss must be identified in order to prevent academic failure. These children can be identified through a comprehensive hearing screening program.
A hearing screening consists of a brief examination, usually of many children, to find those likely to have a hearing problem. Criteria may be set by the audiologist in conjunction with school staff for the hearing screening program. The children who possibly have hearing loss are identified. Follow-up for children who fail the hearing screening and need further testing can be managed by the audiologist.
The audiologist can also be responsible for the working with the school staff for setting up the logistics of the hearing screening. Forms for record keeping and letters of correspondence will be revised and updated as needed. The audiologist can also manage the referrals for medical intervention and further evaluation when appropriate.
DIAGNOSTICS
The audiologist will perform audiological diagnostic evaluations needed. This may include yearly evaluations for all Hearing Impaired students, all students referred from the hearing-screening program, as well as others referred throughout the school year. Reports will be completed in a timely fashion and distributed to the appropriate personnel as part of the school day served in schools.
Diagnostic evaluations may include, but are not limited to: ​
Air Conduction
The measurement made with the earphones of an audiometer that checks hearing sensitivity.
Bone Conduction
The measurement made with the bone conduction vibrator of an audiometer that checks the hearing sensitivity of the inner ear.
Speech Reception Thresholds
The threshold of intelligibility of speech.
Speech Discrimination Testing
The percentage of correctly identified items on a word understanding test.
Tympanometry
Measurement of the function of the tympanic membrane.
Otoscopy
Inspecting the ear canal and tympanic membrane with an otoscope.
Central Auditory Processing Evaluation
An assessment of the ability to process auditory information accurately and in correct order.
SCREENING
The audiologist will establish criteria in conjunction with school staff for the hearing-screening program. The audiologist will manage follow up for children who fail the hearing screening and need further evaluation. Forms for record keeping and letters of correspondence will be advised and updated as needed. Yearly training of school personnel, for example, speech language pathologists, involved with the screening program will be conducted. All school personnel performing hearing screenings will be under the supervisions of a JESA audiologist for the duration of the contract.
COUNSELING
The student’s teacher(s) and parent(s) will be notified through written communication of the results and recommendations. The audiologist will be available to discuss this information with both teachers and parents. The audiologist will also be available for IEP meetings, parent conferences, and teacher conferences. Assistance in appropriately placing Hearing Impaired children will be provided.
MAINTENANCE
The audiologist will provide maintenance checks and train school staff to monitor the hearing aids and auditory trainers worn by hearing impaired students. As directed in IDEA, the audiologist will be directly responsible for selecting, fitting, and managing all individual personal and group amplification technology and maintaining the overall service of the technology. Personal FM assistive technology will be fit as needed. The audiologist will also be available to assist in follow up on personal amplification with local audiologists and other necessary professionals. The audiologist will also be responsible for coordinating the calibration of audiometers and related equipment in need of summer service.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
The audiologist will develop and present current information in the field of educational audiology for any school staff; i.e., special education, regular education, support services, related services, etc. The audiologist will be available to meet with teachers prior to the school year starting to in-service them on operation, maintenance and care of FM assistive technology and hearing aids.
RECORDS MAINTENANCE AND DOCUMENTATION
The audiologist will provide documentation as set forth by the school district for accountability. The audiologist shall maintain written documentation of any professional service provided, including any required documentation meeting the requirements of applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
MONITORING
Students with chronic hearing issues will also be monitored over the course of the school year on an as needed basis.
SCHEDULE
A regular schedule for audiological services will be agreed upon by JESA and the school district. The JESA audiologist will provide the services on a regular basis for up to 2 days per month for the school year. The schedule may vary if the need arises upon the mutual agreement of both parties. The contract will run from August 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.