Professional Predicaments

Answer:

The goal of hearing screening is to identify and minimize the immediate and long-term consequences of peripheral hearing loss in children from 3 years of age to adults.

The SLP’s role involves completing hearing screenings (and supervising support personnel (SP) who complete hearing screenings), including communicating results and making appropriate referrals. SLPs may also be involved in developing and administering a hearing screening program, however, in these situations, they need to consult with an audiologist. Audiologists are accountable for hearing screening programs and are a resource for hearing screening procedural issues (ACSLPA’s Hearing Screening Guideline and Protocol).

Note: “Hearing screening program” in the Guideline and Protocol refers to a formal hearing screening program such as the Newborn Hearing Screening Program in Alberta.

Ideally, each child referred for a speech-language assessment or reassessment would be screened by the designated SLP or assigned SP. This ensures that the client’s hearing is sufficient to obtain reliable results on speech-language assessments, and that intervention can be optimized.

When conducting hearing screenings within a speech-language assessment for a child, SLPs should have an audiologist available for consultation, as needed. The audiologist would be able to address queries or concerns that arise, including the selection and use of appropriate equipment, and support any training required. Audiometer software programs that comply with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) are available and allow hearing screening directly from desktops, laptops and smart devices, such as tablets. Calibration of software can be completed online through the manufacturer. See page 10 of the Hearing Screening Guideline and Protocol for information regarding equipment.

The SLP completing a speech-language assessment for a minor has a responsibility to support the family to obtain a hearing screening for the child, as soon as possible, if the hearing screening cannot occur at the time/place of the assessment (ACSLPA’s Hearing Screening Guideline and Protocol). For example, if the SLP is concerned about the accuracy of their hearing screening results. When clients’ needs fall outside the SLP’s expertise and/or competence, as per Standard of Practice 1.5 Collaboration, the SLP will consult with and refer to an audiologist or appropriate professional. Hearing testing can be accessed through a private audiology clinic or through public health services.

Where necessary, regulated members should work with their program administrators and managers to advocate for client access to hearing screening, by communicating the importance of combining hearing screening with speech-language assessment, the different options for hearing screening available, and the rationale for possibly delaying  assessment and intervention until hearing screening has been completed (Standard of Practice 1.3(j) Client Assessment and Intervention).

Regulated members are reminded that they may contact the College if they have questions or need further clarification. Please do not hesitate to reach out at any time using the Contact Us form.

If there is a conflict or discrepancy with the information or advice set out on this webpage and the information contained in a more official ACSLPA document, then the information contained in the more official ACSLPA document applies and not the information or advice set out here. For the purposes of this disclaimer, ACSLPA’s more official documents include the governing legislation (including the Health Professions Act and the Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist Profession Regulation) as well as ACSLPA’s Bylaws, policies, Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, manuals and/or any other official document approved by Council, a statutory committee or a college official. Persons interacting with ACSLPA are responsible for reviewing and familiarizing themselves with the relevant information contained in ACSLPA’s official documents.