Audiologists in the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathologists hold the Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC-A) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and are licensed by the State of Pennsylvania. The audiologists at Children’s Hospital provide quality care to patients, train and educate other professionals, and perform research related to hearing and hearing loss in children.
Each year, over 20,000 procedures are conducted by the department’s audiologists. The department offers both inpatient and outpatient services and is an integral part of the services provided by the hospital’s Ear, Nose, and Throat and Cleft-Craniofacial Clinics.
Behavioral (e.g., conventional) Audiologic Evaluation
Using a variety of methods that require the child’s participation, a behavioral evaluation determines how well the child is hearing and processing sounds and defines the type and degree of any hearing loss.
Auditory-Evoked Potential Testing
Electrophysiologic tests do not require the child’s participation and provide information about the functioning of various segments of the auditory pathway. These tests can confirm and enhance findings of conventional hearing tests. The tests used include the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), Auditory Middle Late Response (AMLR), Auditory Late Response (ALR), P300 and Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR).
Otoacoustic Emissions Test (OAE)
OAE testing determines how well the cochlear sensory (outer hair cells) respond to sound.
Newborn Hearing Screening Program
This program provides hearing screening using ABR and/or OAE and audiologic follow-up for newborns who are at risk for hearing loss. Hearing screenings are conducted by audiologists in newborn intensive care nurseries and by audiology assistants in well-baby nurseries at several hospitals in the Pittsburgh area.
Central Auditory Processing Evaluation
The evaluation assesses how well the auditory system of a child who has normal hearing transmits information to the brain and how well the brain understands the auditory information it receives. This evaluation includes assessment by an audiologist and a speech-language pathologist and may involve both behavioral and electrophysiologic tests.
Hearing Aid Evaluation
This evaluation provides assessment of suitability for wearing hearing aid(s), determines appropriate hearing aid parameters, and measures hearing aid performance. Families of children with hearing loss receive counseling about the use and care of hearing aids, as well as other assistive listening technology and communication strategies and educational options.
Hearing Aid Dispensing Program
Hearing aids, earmolds and accessories for children and adolescents are available for purchase.
Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program
Implantation surgery and habilitative/rehabilitative programs may provide an additional option for children who have severe to profound hearing losses. The Pediatric Cochlear Implant multidisciplinary team is designed to assess all aspects of the child’s functioning relative to their ability to optimally utilize a cochlear implant and includes audiology, speech/language pathology, developmental psychology, clinical social work and pediatric otolaryngology.
Audiologic Consultation
On-site consultation to educational and other programs in the community regarding assessment and management of their children with hearing loss.
Education
Providing education for those working with children with hearing loss is a strong commitment of the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The department is a clinical site for graduate students in Audiology from the University of Pittsburgh and interns from graduate Audiology programs throughout the country. The department also provides educational programs in assessment and management of hearing-impaired children for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospitals as well as for physicians, educators, parents, and others in the community.
Research
Research forms the foundation of clinical endeavors. Research conducted by department audiologists includes studies of normal auditory development in infants and young children and the effects of various conditions and diseases on this development.
