The national protocol for paediatric amplification in Australia

Abstract

This document describes the national protocol for the selection, fitting, verification, and evaluation of amplification for hearing-impaired children in Australia. It also outlines the approach to management of children who have auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder, children who have mild and unilateral hearing loss, and children who require cochlear implantation. Audiological management of all Australian citizens and permanent residents under twenty-one years of age who have a hearing loss is carried out by the national hearing service provider, Australian Hearing. It is funded by the Australian Government's Hearing Services Program to provide fully subsidised hearing aids, frequency modulated (FM) systems and ongoing audiological management. All hearing aids for children are multi-channel devices that offer wide dynamic range compression, directional microphone technology and feedback cancellation as well as access to multiple listening programs, telecoil and audio-input facilities. Hearing aid gain, frequency response and maximum power output are derived according to the NAL-NL1 prescription procedure and verified using real ear measurements. Amplification benefit is evaluated using a range of speech perception tests and functional assessment questionnaires.