ABSTRACT
The screening of hearing is therefore given a high priority in the early years as this is the time when speech and language are developing. This chapter focuses on the assessment of hearing itself, it must be remembered that there is a major need for work with parents. This is a necessity for all audiological professionals concerned, but in some cases the extra support of a social worker might be necessary. Most Audiology Centres are run by a team of professionals with different qualifications and experience. Each concentrates on a particular expertise in testing, diagnosing and treating the children referred for further investigation because of some suspected hearing impairments suggested at the screening stage. Screening of children at the age of 3-4 therefore has much appeal, but is only likely to be very effective when a large proportion of children are in nursery schools or similar provision.
