RSDCD’s audiological facilities are based in a very comprehensively equipped suite. All students with impaired hearing are seen at least for an annual assessment, and more frequently if necessary. The clinic is also used for taking earmould impressions, and the fitting and management of digital hearing aids as well as a variety of other assistive listening devices. Middle ear diagnostic testing is carried out in clinic, mainly using middle ear analysers (tympanometry and reflex testing) and otoscopic examination. Cochlear function testing is performed routinely on the students where hearing loss is suspected, mainly using a broad range of oto-acoustic emission tests. Sometimes more complex testing is undertaken in conjunction with the audiology department of the local Primary Care Trust. It is, though, a great advantage to have on-site facilities: it means that students can be assessed quickly in a familiar environment.
The audiology clinic is staffed by a qualified Clinical Audiologist. A varied range of behavioural and objective hearing testing is carried out both in the clinic and classrooms. Testing procedures are matched to the age and ability of each student. The procedures can be modified to elicit and recognize a student’s response to sound. Within the scope of audiology, a range of music is used in order to observe and measure responses to sound at different levels and complexities in order to build up an audiogram for those students unable to perform conventional hearing tests. Additionally, the audiologist is trained as a provider of “The Listening Programme”, a classical music-based auditory stimulation method designed to enhance an individual’s auditory processing.
To contact our Clinical Audiologist call 0161 610 0133