What is Conditioned Play Audiometry?
Conditioned play audiometry is a method used to assess the hearing abilities of pediatric patients. It is a type of behavioral audiometry, which means that the child’s response to sound is measured.
In conditioned play audiometry, the child is first trained to perform a specific enjoyable task whenever a sound is presented. For example, the child may be given a toy that makes a noise when it is squeezed. The audiologist will then present sounds at different frequencies and intensities, and the child will be asked to perform the task whenever they hear the sound.
The child’s responses are then recorded and used to determine their hearing thresholds. Hearing thresholds are the softest sounds that the child can hear at different frequencies.
Conditioned play audiometry is a valuable tool for assessing the hearing of pediatric patients. It is a versatile procedure that can be used to assess the hearing of children of all ages, including those with special needs. Conditioned play audiometry is a safe and effective way to measure hearing thresholds in children.
What is an Example of Conditioned Play Audiometry?
One example of conditioned play audiometry is the Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) procedure. In VRA, the child is placed in a sound-proof booth and is presented with a toy that makes a noise when it is squeezed. The audiologist will then present sounds at different frequencies and intensities, and the child will be asked to squeeze the toy whenever they hear the sound.
If the child squeezes the toy when they hear the sound, they will be rewarded with a sticker or another small prize. This positive reinforcement helps to train the child to respond to the sound.
What is the Purpose of Conditioned Play Audiometry?
Conditioned play audiometry is used to assess the hearing abilities of pediatric patients. It is a useful tool for evaluating the hearing of children who are too young or too uncooperative for traditional behavioral audiometry procedures.
Conditioned play audiometry can be used to assess the hearing thresholds of children as young as 6 months old. It can also be used to assess the hearing of children with special needs, such as autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities.
What is Conditioning in Auditory Assessment?
In auditory assessment, conditioning is the process of teaching the child to associate a specific response with the presentation of a sound. This is done by rewarding the child with a positive reinforcer, such as a sticker or a toy, whenever they make the desired response.
Once the child is conditioned, they will learn to make the response automatically whenever they hear the sound. This allows the audiologist to measure their hearing thresholds without having to rely on their cooperation.
What is the Age Range for Condition Play Audiometry?
Conditioned play audiometry can be used to assess the hearing of children as young as 6 months old. However, the age range for this type of testing will vary depending on the specific procedure that is being used.
For example, VRA can be used to assess the hearing of children as young as 6 months old, while other conditioned play audiometry procedures may not be appropriate for children under the age of 2 or 3.