Training activity information
Details
Assist in the safe performance and interpretation of the following diagnostic tests on infants and document the results:
- Auditory brainstem response testing
- High-frequency probe tone tympanometry
- Otoacoustic emissions
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee​.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Patient centred care and support
- Explanation of tests and gaining consent
- Contraindications to testing
- Test conditions and artifacts
- Infection control
- Effective communication
- Consent
- Local and national guidelines and international best practice
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What are the procedural steps and key considerations for performing ABR, high-frequency tympanometry, and OAEs on infants?
- What are the age-related norms and typical interpretations for these tests in this population?
- What safety precautions are necessary?
- What are the practical challenges of testing infants?
- How will you learn to interpret the results in the context of newborn hearing screening or diagnostic follow-up?
- Have you reviewed the theoretical basis and protocols for each test?
- Have you observed experienced audiologists conducting these tests on infants?
In action
- Focus on your role in ensuring the safe performance of each test (ABR, high-frequency tympanometry, OAEs). What steps are you taking to prepare the infant and the equipment?
- How are you observing the infant’s state and ensuring their safety and comfort?
- What are you noting about the equipment readings and the infant’s physiological responses?
- Are you encountering any technical issues with the equipment?
- Is it challenging to obtain reliable responses from the infant?
- What are you learning about the factors that can affect the results of these tests in infants (e.g., state of arousal, environmental noise)?
- How does the process compare to what you anticipated?
- If you are struggling to obtain clear results, are you considering possible adjustments to the testing parameters or the infant’s positioning?
- Are you communicating effectively with the supervising clinician about the progress and any difficulties encountered?
- Are you adhering to the established safety guidelines for infant testing?
On action
- Consider the infants you assisted with. What were their states of arousal during the different tests (Auditory brainstem response testing, High-frequency probe tone tympanometry, Otoacoustic emissions)? What factors seemed to influence the success of obtaining reliable results (e.g., feeding, sleep)? How were the results documented, and what key information was noted?
- What did you learn about the practical aspects of performing ABR, high-frequency tympanometry, and OAEs on infants, including preparation and safety considerations? What did you learn about interpreting the results of these tests in the context of infant hearing screening or diagnostic assessment? Were there any challenges in obtaining clear responses, and what did you learn from those situations?
- What techniques or considerations are important for successful infant audiological testing? What further knowledge or skills do you need to develop in the area of infant audiology and these specific diagnostic tests?
Beyond action
- Looking back at your initial experiences with infant audiological testing and comparing them with any later experiences or learning about newborn hearing screening programmes or infant diagnostics, have you developed a deeper understanding of the nuances of testing this age group?
- Have you gained a better appreciation for the significance of these early tests?
- How has assisting with ABR, high-frequency tympanometry, and OAEs in infants influenced your awareness of the importance of factors like infant state during testing and the interpretation of subtle responses in your current audiological work?
- Considering your future career, how will this foundational experience in infant audiology inform your potential involvement in early intervention services or further specialist training in paediatrics?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 5 |
Outcome
Assess hearing function in school age children and assist in the hearing assessment of infants and pre-school children using a range of standard diagnostic tests. |