Paediatric Hearing Aids: An Introduction

This is an introductory course to Paediatric Habilitation. The course is for Audiologists who are beginning to work in paediatric hearing aid clinics, or who would like an update.

The course will be of interest to professionals who work with audiologists and who wish to gain an insight into paediatric hearing aid clinics. It is also appropriate as a short focused orientation for non-graduates (including associate and assistant practitioners) who may be assisting in clinics.

The course covers all aspects of routine paediatric hearing aid clinics, including strategies for testing, hearing aid provision with limited threshold information, RECD, verification and outcome measures, wireless accessories, and multi-disciplinary teams.

The course does not cover advanced practice, assessment of complex cases, or paediatric assessment techniques.

On the final morning there will be a workshop on paediatric hearing aid technology and RECD measurements. The following manufacturers will be involved:
Oticon, GN Hearing, Phonak – paediatric hearing aid range and features.
The Phonak Roger system – demonstration and discussion.
Otometrics, Interacoustics, Sivantos – how to perform RECD measurements on this equipment.

Preparing the Parents
In most cases the parents will decide whether the child wears the hearing aid – we need to get this bit right!

Difference between Adults and Children
What makes them different and how does that apply to the child, family and ultimately their hearing aids?

Introduction to RECD / REAR Theory
The prescriptive approach to paediatric hearing aid provision will be considered, including the selection of appropriate parameters in the prescriptive rule and fitting software, and the individualisation of the approach through the use of measures such as the Real Ear to Coupler Difference (RECD).

Strategies for Testing
How to get the most from a testing session to ensure the best possible hearing aid set-up.

Hearing Aid Provision with Limited Threshold Information
This talk will consider the practical considerations when there may be limited or incomplete threshold information to prescribe the amplification. In particular this will cover the availability and uncertainty of Auditory Brainstem Response and Behavioural Audiometry thresholds, and guidance on how they should be employed and documented in the clinical record.

Evaluation of Hearing Aids using Speech Testing
Things to do with the child and their family once they’re wearing their hearing aids, in addition to asking them ‘How does that sound?’

Verification of Frequency Lowering
As frequency lowering is now a standard feature within hearing instrument technology, its use supported by an increasing body of peer-reviewed evidence confirming clinical utility, this presentation will explore the latest ‘best-practice’ probe microphone verification techniques to assist in optimisation of settings.

Outcome Measures / Questionnaires
The range of outcome measures used to assess hearing aid benefit in children, why and what benefits they give.

Wireless Accessories
A brief introduction to which devices are out there and when to fit them.

Roger System
An introduction to Phonak’s Roger technology and an overview of the connectivity options.

Communicating with Parents, Children and Young People
Communication skills scenarios and explanation related to hearing aid fitting and reviews.

Introduction to Complex Fittings
How to approach the hearing aid fitting when dealing with children with unusual hearing loss configurations or other additional needs.

Issues after Fitting
Addressing the needs of children wearing and managing hearing devices following fitting  including maintenance and earpieces; understanding the older children issues around compliance and helping them in dealing with this.

Transition Services
Transitioning from the paediatric to the adult service can be a daunting proposition – how can we make this as smooth a process as possible for our patients.

Multi-Disciplinary Teams
Examples of other professionals that we could (and should!) work with.

PRACTICAL WORKSHOPS
Hands-on workshops in small groups (20 mins each) with Oticon, GN Hearing, Phonak, Sivantos, Interacoustics and Otometrics. The workshops will be:
Paediatric Hearing Aids available from Oticon, GN Hearing and Phonak.
RECD (practice and discussion) with Sivantos, Interacoustics and Otometrics.
Phonak Roger system, devices available and troubleshooting.

Planning the Hearing Aid Fitting & Review
Why do we plan the session. Examples of case studies and planning for hearing aid fitting and reviews, and specific considerations for children.

Accommodation costs are not included in the course fee.

Sonova House (Phonak UK Ltd) is situated in Warrington town centre. ‘Premier Inn, Warrington Centre’ and ‘The Village Hotel Club, Warrington’ are a short walk from the Phonak offices. There are a number of other hotels and bed & breakfast within close proximity in central Warrington.

The course fee includes evening dinner on the Tuesday evening of the course.

Driving into and out of Warrington can be subject to considerable delay during rush-hour. We therefore recommend staying over in Warrington rather than driving daily to the course. Where the latter is unavoidable, please leave plenty of time for your journey.

Leaving the course early on the final afternoon is not advised. Train travel from the Warrington stations should be booked for no earlier than 4.30pm.

Purchase order number and invoice address (supplier: Anne Davies Audiology Courses)
Cheque (payable to Anne Davies Audiology Courses)
Credit / debit card
Monthly instalments by direct debit (UK customers). Two payments of 50% over two months, or three payments of 33.3% over three months, interest free.

If you are travelling from overseas and require a visa: once you register and pay, we can provide a letter confirming your place on the course. Please contact us to discuss.