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, Signia – 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 Prescription Formulae
A brief history of how the NAL and DSL teams derive their formulae, and discussions around proprietary fitting rules.

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).

Real-World RECD
Tips and troubleshooting RECD in the clinic.

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?’

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.

Outcome Measures / Questionnaires
An introduction to the range of outcome measures used to assess hearing aid benefit in children with a particular focus on questionnaires. Including why and when we use these and how these might guide hearing aid management along with some case examples to work through and group activities.

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 particularly related to hearing aid fitting and reviews. Group work using case studies and examples.

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 some of the issues for older children around compliance and helping them in dealing with this. Case studies and examples included for discussion.

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

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.

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

“Very informative and suitable for those with little or lots of experience.”

“Very good facilities. Excellent food and comfortable environment.”

“Thoroughly enjoyed this course. I have learnt so much that I can put into practice. It has been well organised and well delivered.”

Accommodation costs are not included in the course fee.

The course venue is The Park Royal Hotel, Stretton Road, Stretton, Warrington WA4 4NS. This is on the outskirts of Warrington, a 15-20 min taxi ride from Warrington town centre. Booking accommodation close to the venue (rather than commuting from Warrington town centre) is advised. Recommended places to stay are The Park Royal Hotel and the adjacent Premier Inn Warrington South, Tarporley Road, Stretton.

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

Driving into and out of the Warrington area can be subject to considerable delay during rush-hour. We therefore recommend staying over, 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. Pay online at time of booking.
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.