Paediatric Development
A whistle-stop tour of stages in child development assessed by paediatricians as part of a paediatric history (including aspects of Down syndrome), which have implications for audiology testing.
History Taking
The essentials of a good history, why and when. Appropriate questions to ask. Example of history taking in clinic.
Calibration Essentials
The importance of calibration for paediatric audiology specifically.
Child Protection Issues
Raising awareness of child protection issues in relation to audiology.
Distraction Testing
The orienting reflex and the most appropriate sounds to evoke a response. Criteria for testing, equipment required, frequencies produced, room set-up and pitfalls.
VRA Basics
Underlying principles of Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA), room set-up, equipment. The practical procedure of performing VRA in the soundfield.
VRA Beyond the Basics
The challenges whilst performing VRA; tactics and good practice to obtain reliable results. The use of insert earphones and bone conduction transducers. Interpretation of VRA results.
Play Audiometry
The requirements of the test, environment, and equipment. A review of the co-operative test. The suitability of play audiometry and the techniques, procedure and results. This is supported by a video demonstration.
Introduction to ANSD and APD
A basic introduction to these conditions, diagnosis and correct management, case studies.
Speech Discrimination Testing
The various types of speech tests available. Appropriate tests for developmental age. Examples of live test in a clinic.
Automatic Verification of Paediatric Fittings with TargetMatch
Probe microphone measurements remain the ‘gold-stand’ for the electro-acoustic verification of hearing instrument fittings. The process, however, is often considered inefficient as the clinician must ‘juggle’ with both verification and fitting software, in addition to an often uncooperative test subject, to complete the process. This presentation will discuss TargetMatch which is an automated alternative to the above developed by Phonak and Otometrics (now Natus) as an evidence based alternative to the above which results in both more accurate matching to target and greater test-retest reliability.
Tympanometry and Reflexes
The difference between standard and high frequency tympanometry testing and results. Test protocols, parameters and pitfalls.
Planning the Session
Why and when do we plan, using information from the referral and history, deciding which tests to use, interactive group work.
Syndromes and Disorders
A review of causes of deafness including syndromes, infections, and other disorders affecting hearing.
Report Writing
Essence and structure of a good report. Why we write them, who to, and what should they inform the recipient about.
Management Decisions
Factors to be considered when formulating management plans. Discussion of case histories and management options.
Communicating with Parents
Communications skills, scenarios and group work on explaining different results.
Complex Cases
Tips and tactics to get the most out of an assessment when testing is more complex or challenging than expected.
Case Presentations
Examples of when to change how we assess and adapt when faced with more challenging cases in clinic.
Workshop
Hands-on work in small groups.
