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School Hearing Screen Service

School Hearing Screen Service
Room 111
First Floor ABUHB Headquarters
St Cadoc's
Lodge Rd
Caerleon
NP18 3XQ
 
Tel:                    01633 431611
Email:                SchoolScreen.Audiology.ABB@wales.nhs.uk
 

What We Do

During the academic year, the hearing screener will visit the school to screen all the reception class children’s hearing. Pure tone audiometry is the test used to screen a child's hearing. It's similar to a hearing test an adult might have. A machine makes sounds at different volumes and frequencies. The sounds are played through headphones and your child is asked to respond when they hear them by pressing a button or by saying ‘beep’. If your child is absent on the day of the screen or the screen results are not satisfactory we will arrange for another screen in school or in your local audiology clinic. The hearing screener will need to check we have the correct contact details for you child with the school, in order to complete the screen. If you do not wish your child to have the hearing screen please contact us.
 
Children with programmable shunts should not be screened as there is a risk of the screening equipment affecting the shunt.
 
It is essential you contact the school screening service to inform us if your child has a shunt fitted. Programmable ventriculo-peritoneal (PVP) shunts are surgically implanted devices in the brain fitted as a treatment for hydrocephalus, to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain to another part of the body. PVP shunts have a magnetic valve, placed just under the skin behind the ear, for adjustment by an external control magnet. The magnet in the shunt can be affected by devices used to measure hearing which can cause a potential risk to the child. It is recommended that all children with PVP shunts are referred to audiology for assessment instead of being offered school entry hearing screening.