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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Elements define the essential outcomes
2. Prepare for tests
   • Ensure information, including required forms, is accessible and ready for use
   • Achieve required ambient noise levels in preparation of testing environment
   • Prepare, calibrate and check equipment and instruments
   • Ensure personal protective equipment is available and used
3. Establish a positive relationship with child and carer
   • Explain the test procedure clearly and simply to the child
   • Gain consent from carer where applicable
   • Give child the opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns
   • Identify and meet special needs of child
   • Maintain confidentiality of client information
4. Conduct otoscopy
   • Follow personal hygiene and infection control procedures
   • Conduct otoscopy in a non-threatening manner and produce valid, reliable and accurate results in accordance with relevant policy and procedures
   • Identify and respond to any abnormalities of the ear canal
   • Identify contra-indications for proceeding with further hearing assessments
   • Make referralto appropriate agency for further assessment and treatment if required
5. Complete hearing test
   • Follow personal hygiene and infection control procedures
   • Conduct play audiometry following procedures for correct use of equipment
   • Produce valid, reliable and accurate results in accordance with relevant policy and procedures (threshold or pass/fail screening)
   • Take steps to maximise test accuracy, validity and reliability
   • Identify unreliable results and complete re-test according to standard protocols
   • Conduct screening tympanometry in accordance with required procedures
   • Record results in accordance with relevant policies and procedures
   • Clean and store equipment in accordance with manufacturers’ requirements and infection control procedures
6. Review test results with child and their carer
   • Examine results and determine outcome from data obtained
   • Communicate outcome of tests clearly and simply to the child and their carer
   • Discuss options for further tests with carer
   • Give child and carer the opportunity to ask questions and discuss areas of concern
   • Document and file test results in accordance with relevant policies and procedures
7. Refer client to appropriate facility
   • Make referral to appropriate agency if required
   • Establish contact with referral agency and provide key client information
   • Discuss relevant issues and concerns with relevant personnel at facility
   • Follow up referral to ensure continuity of case management

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

followed established procedures and protocols to independently conduct pure tone play audiometry tests for at least 10 different children aged 4-6 years, recognising and responding appropriately when a child is not giving true thresholds

communicated effectively with children and carers using a client centred approach

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

legal and ethical considerations (national and state/territory) for testing children’s hearing:

children in the workplace

duty of care

informed consent

policy frameworks – Australian Government Office of Hearing Services requirements

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

records management

reporting requirements

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations:

boundaries of audiometrist role, including no role in diagnostics

relationship between audiometry and other health professionals

role of the family/carer

indicators for referral

stages of normal childhood speech and hearing development:

milestones

variations from the norm

key milestones in children’s cognitive development and how to assess these to facilitate testing

anatomy of children’s ears and the implications for otoscopy

play audiometry techniques:

conditioning

reliability and validity

visual cues

non-organic hearing loss

techniques for managing children during testing:

focusing attention to task

distraction

engagement

factors to consider when working with families during the testing process

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