School hearing test @ school?

[moonlight]

I need the advice of school age kids parents. Do you get notice before or sign a concent form for hearing tests? Does your school even do those?
DD had a hearing test at school yesterday. We were not told in advance. No big deal except she has a ear infection and they should have known about it and not tested her. I asked for the phone number of the audiologist (just to follow up) and was told she doesn't talk to parents. And i find out this person isnt employed by the school, she's self employed and a contract employee. Well that set off all momma bear spider senses. DH is really annoyed we didn't give consent and they tested her anyways..
What normally happens when they do this at school?

[diggitydot]

I've never needed to give consent for a hearing screening. When dentists came to the schools to do exams and cleanings, yes. Hearing and vision tests, no.

FWIW, even contractors (like photographers) are background checked.

[BonBon]

Schools regularly screen for hearing and vision. I'm actually glad bc otherwise I wouldn't have known that two of my kids needed glasses.


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[SoonerTexan]

I remember being screened for hearing and vision every year in elementary

[Phoebe]

No consent in elementary, but we did in preschool.

[Ladybug]

No consent for state mandated testing. The school has to do it according to public health law.

Do you have a full time nurse? Did the nurse perform the exam? Was it a district nurse that covers multiple schools? Was is a simple pure tone test (headphones and beeps)

We alway retest on hearing for the reasons you mentioned. Give it a month and then try again. I wouldn't sweat it if she has a history of normal hearing and a current infection. You pediatrician can offer the simple pure tone sweep. If you don't have any serious concerns bring it up at your next appointment.

We had a college that offered free hearing and speech evaluations. They offered a more specific hearing test and speech screenings. We sent home a letter and asked for consent.

[Pollyanna]

Yep, just like everyone else, no consent was needed for the hearing tests at school. Honestly it likely wouldn't even be helpful to talk to the audiologist because she sees so many children she won't remember your child so you could only ask generalized questions. Like Ladybug suggested, wait till her ears are all clear and test again with your pediatrician.

[SuzySunshine]

We were notified the day before, not asked for consent and told we would only receive info back from the testing if something was wrong.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

I remember always being surprised by the tests at school, so I know my parents didn't get any prior notice. I don't know if I even told my parents about it after the fact I wouldn't worry, and if there is something off, they will either retest or recommend you go to your ped for a retest.


Wife of a PGY-4 Orthopod

[poky]

I remember always being surprised by the tests at school, so I know my parents didn't get any prior notice. I don't know if I even told my parents about it after the fact I wouldn't worry, and if there is something off, they will either retest or recommend you go to your ped for a retest.

Yeah, this. It's just a screening; the whole point is to do basic testing on everyone to make sure that hearing problems that would interfere with learning don't go undiagnosed. They're not going to put anything in her record or force you to do anything about it, it's just to let parents know if there are potentially problems that should be followed up on.

[moonlight]

No consent for state mandated testing. The school has to do it according to public health law.

Do you have a full time nurse? Did the nurse perform the exam? Was it a district nurse that covers multiple schools? Was is a simple pure tone test (headphones and beeps)

We alway retest on hearing for the reasons you mentioned. Give it a month and then try again. I wouldn't sweat it if she has a history of normal hearing and a current infection. You pediatrician can offer the simple pure tone sweep. If you don't have any serious concerns bring it up at your next appointment.

We had a college that offered free hearing and speech evaluations. They offered a more specific hearing test and speech screenings. We sent home a letter and asked for consent.

I should have said before in January a Audiologist did exam her. She marked that she had "negative middle ear pressure on Left" and Failed screening on Left.

I asked to talk with the Audiologist and the school wouldn't provide me her contact info, said "she doesn't talk to parents." I said that was against my parenting rules and when she comes back to retest her a school staff person/teacher must be in the room with her.

Well, yesterday she came back (she never tells the school when she's coming) and the school did not send a member of staff like I requested. She failed it again "negative middle ear pressure Right and Left" and failed it on the left. I. Was. Pissed. I'm currently waiting for the asst director to call me to set up a meeting. She thinks by putting me off I'll forget or get over it. Ha!

I did some more googling and got the Audiologist's cell/business number and email. She wouldn't/couldn't answer, but after DH tried calling her from the hospital she emailed me back with in 30 seconds. Said she will get my DD's results pulled up and will call me this afternoon. Good grief what you have to do these days!!!

PS I did find out what time the testing was done from her teachers. I WAS IN THE F'ING SCHOOL BUILDING 2 DOORS DOWN THE HALL at a PTA meeting during the hearing test! All they had to do was come get me!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrr

[Pollyanna]

I'm so sorry for your frustration. I can't remember your concerns? Maybe just go see an audiologist of your choosing? I don't think the school can take any action, just make recommendations.

[moonlight]

Good news! The audiologist just called and explained everything! She also said that she does talk to parents, and the asst dir was wrong by telling me otherwise. Oh I'm so releved.
DD has speech delays and this kind of stuff is really important to keep up with. IDK why I was getting the stupid runaround from the school.

[Pollyanna]

Wonderful!!!