MACP 323 - CH43 P43-5

Adults and Children

MATERIALS: Patient chart/progress note, audiometer, headset, graph pad (if applicable), alcohol, gauze squares

Measuring Auditory Acuity Procedure 43-5

Procedure Goal: To determine how well a patient hears

OSHA GUIDELINE: Wash your hands and have a biohazard waste bin nearby for use

Infants and Toddlers

INFANTS AND TODDLERS

13

10

11

12

Measuring Auditory Acuity PROCEDURE 43-5

ADULTS AND CHILDREN

Measuring Auditory Acuity Procedure 43-5

11

15

10

21

20

19

18

17

14

13

12

16

Step 18

Have the patient remove the headset.

Step 5

Instruct the parent to be silent during the procedure.

Step 13

Proceed to the midrange frequencies. Repeat steps 9, 10, and 11 .

Step 3

Pick a quiet location.

Step 3

Have the patient sit with their back to you.

Step 20

Properly dispose of the used sanitizing wipe and wash your hands.

Step 4

Drop the object directly into an approved puncture-proof container for sharps. Engage safety device, if indicated.

Step 10

Snap your fingers. Observe the child’s response.

Step 19

Clean the earpieces with a sanitizing wipe.

Step 1

Identify the patient and introduce yourself.

Step 6

Position yourself so that your hands are behind the child’s right ear and out of sight.

Step 8

Record the child’s response as positive or negative for loud noise.

Step 10

If the patient does not hear the first degree of loudness, raise it two or three times to greater degrees, up to 50 or 60 decibels.

Step 2

Clean the earpieces of the headset with a sanitizing wipe according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 12

Change the setting to the next frequency. Repeat steps 9, 10, and 11 .

Step 17

Repeat steps 8 through 14.

Step 1

Wash your hands, identify the patient, introduce yourself, and explain the procedure.

Step 15

Set the audiometer for the left ear.

Step 7

Clap your hands loudly. Observe the child’s response. (Never clap directly in front of the ear because this can damage the eardrum. As an alternative to clapping, use devices such as rattles or clickers [which may be available in the office] to generate sounds of varying loudness.)

Step 2

Wash your hands.

Step 9

Position one hand behind the child’s right ear, as before.

Step 21

Document the results after you have completed the procedure.

Step 4

The patient can be sitting, lying down, or held by the parent.

Step 11

Record the response as positive or negative for moderate noise.

Step 5

Tell the patient they will hear tones in the right ear.

Step 14

Proceed to the high-range frequencies. Repeat steps 9, 10, and 11 .

Step 12

Repeat steps 6 through 11 for the left ear.

Step 11

If the patient indicates that they have heard the tone, record the setting on the graph.

Step 6

Tell the patient to raise their finger or press the indicator button when they hear a tone.

Step 8

Set the audiometer for the lowest range of frequencies and the first degree of loudness (usually 15 decibels). (When using automated audiometers, follow the instructions printed in the user’s manual.)

Step 16

Tell the patient that they will hear tones in the left ear and ask them to raise their finger or press the indicator button when they hear a tone.

Step 4

Assist the patient in putting on the headset and adjust it until it is comfortable.

Step 13

Document the results after you have completed the procedure.

Step 9

Press the tone button or switch and observe the patient.

step 7

Set the audiometer for the right ear.