Practice Standards & Resources

Hearing Screening

Protocols, populations, and program design for school-based hearing screening — including special considerations for students with disabilities and autism.

Three Resources to Look at First

Position Statement

Screening Considerations for Children with Significant Disabilities

EAA's official guidance on adapting screening for students who can't complete standard pure-tone protocols.

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EAA Infographic

The Impact & Importance of Hearing Screenings

Print-ready infographic to share with administrators, school nurses, and families.

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External · ASHA

State Hearing Screening Requirements

ASHA's state-by-state reference for required school screening protocols.

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Key Points at a Glance

Screening Is the First Step

It's the gateway to identification, intervention, and equitable access to learning.

One Protocol Doesn't Fit All

Students with disabilities, autism, or developmental differences may need adapted protocols.

Pure-Tone vs. DPOAE

Each method has strengths and limitations — research supports informed protocol choice.

Failed Screenings Need Follow-Up

Screening only matters when results trigger appropriate next steps.

EAA Position Statements and Standards

POSITION STATEMENT

Hearing Screening Considerations for Children with Significant Disabilities

Adapting screening protocols for students who can't complete standard testing.

EAA Practical Tools & Resources

EAA RESOURCE MEMBERS ONLY

Hearing Screening

EAA's member resource on screening practice. Log in to access.

INFOGRAPHIC

The Impact & Importance of Hearing Screenings

Infographic on why school screenings matter

Educational Audiology Handbook book cover

Foundational Reference

Educational Audiology Handbook

Johnson & Seaton · Plural Publishing — the comprehensive reference for school-based audiology practice. The foundational text behind nearly every topic on this page.

EAA members receive a discount — log in to your member page for details.

Forms & Appendices for This Topic

Customizable forms, protocols, and checklists from the Handbook. See the textbook for full content.

Chapter 4 — Hearing Screening & Identification

  • Appendix 4–B — H.E.A.R. Checklist
  • Appendix 4–C — Record of Ear and Hearing Problems
  • Appendix 4–D — Basic Hearing Problems Questionnaire for Children with Developmental Delays
  • Appendix 4–E — Preparation Checklist for Preschool and School Hearing Screening
  • Appendix 4–F — Parent Notification Letter for Hearing Screening
  • Appendix 4–G — Class Hearing Screening Results Record Form
  • Appendix 4–H — Hearing Rescreening / Referral Form
  • Appendix 4–I — Sample Teacher Notification of Screening Results
  • Appendix 4–J — Sample Parent Notification of Screening Results — Pass
  • Appendix 4–K — Sample Parent Notification of Screening Results — Recheck
  • Appendix 4–L — Sample Parent Letter to Refer Child for Further Audiological Evaluation
  • Appendix 4–M — Sample Medical Referral Letter and Return Medical Referral Form
  • Appendix 4–N — Sample Medical Referral Form (Physician)

EAA Research & Evidence

Peer-reviewed articles from the Journal of Educational, Pediatric & (Re)Habilitative Audiology.

JEPRA

Comparison of Pure-Tone and DPOAE Screenings in School-Age Children

Fisher Smiley, Shapley, Eckl, & Nicholson

JEPRA

Listening Issues in Autistic Students: Are We Doing Enough?

Schafer, Dunn, Lavi, & DeConde Johnson

JEPRA

Preschool Screenings: DPOAE vs. Pure-Tone Protocols

Kreisman, Bevilacqua, Day, Kreisman, & Hall

JEPRA

Survey of Hearing Screeners: Training and Protocols

McCormick Richburg & Imhoff

External Resources

External links are informational and not endorsements.

EXTERNAL · ASHA

State Hearing Screening Requirements by State

ASHA's state-by-state quick reference.

EXTERNAL · ASHA LEADER

Listen Up: Monitoring Hearing in Autistic Children

ASHA Leader piece on adapted screening for autistic students.

EXTERNAL · ASHA LEADER

Stepping Up Hearing Screening in Schools

Strategies for strengthening school-based screening programs.

EXTERNAL · AAP

Hearing Assessment in Infants, Children, and Adolescents

AAP clinical report on pediatric hearing assessment.

EXTERNAL · NCHAM

NCHAM Webinar: Evidence-Based Screening Practices

Webinar on best-practice evidence for school screening.

EXTERNAL · JOURNAL

Role of School Nurses in Evidence-Based Hearing Screenings

Sage Journals article on school nurse partnership in screening.

EXTERNAL · NCHAM

National Center for Hearing Assessment & Management

The EHDI and screening hub — extensive resources beyond the linked webinar.

EXTERNAL · CDC

CDC: Hearing Loss in Children

Public-health context on childhood hearing loss and screening.

EXTERNAL · COLORADO DOE

H.E.A.R. Checklist

Free version of the early hearing checklist (Handbook Appendix 4–B), hosted by Colorado DOE.

Catch It Early

Strong screening programs identify hearing concerns early, trigger appropriate follow-ups, and open the door to intervention and equitable access.

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Members-Only Discussion

In the EAA Community

EAA members are talking about hearing screening on the listserv. Recent threads include:

  • ASD screening survey for audiologists
  • APD screening document from Handbook
  • Medical exclusions from hearing screenings

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Related Topics

Assessment & Evaluation ›

Where students go after a failed screening.

Early Intervention & Transitions ›

EHDI and ongoing surveillance from infancy onward.

Noise & Hearing Loss Prevention ›

Screening + prevention together close the public-health loop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between screening and diagnostic testing?

Screening is a pass/fail check that flags students who need further evaluation. Diagnostic testing (after a failed screen) determines the type and degree of any hearing concern.

How often should students be screened?

Frequency varies by state. Most require screening at school entry and at intervals through elementary and middle school. Check your state's requirements for specifics.

What protocols work best for students with disabilities?

DPOAEs are often more feasible for students who can't reliably respond to pure-tone testing. EAA's position statement on this topic walks through adaptations.

What does a failed screening trigger?

Re-screening, then referral to diagnostic audiology, family notification, and follow-up tracking. A documented protocol prevents lost-to-follow-up cases.

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