Pediatric and Educational Audiology
Pediatric assessment
Know developmental milestones for auditory behavior (e.g., startle to sound in infancy, localization, word recognition), and the test battery by age: ABR/OAE for infants, VRA around 6 months to 2–3 years, play audiometry around 2–5 years, conventional audiometry after about 5 years. Traps include relying on a single test and forgetting that behavioral thresholds in young children can be elevated by attention or maturation, not just hearing loss.
Early intervention and educational law
Know IDEA Parts B and C, IFSP (under 3) vs. IEP (3–21), Section 504, and the role of the educational audiologist: classroom acoustics, FM/DM systems, accommodations, and in-service training. A common distractor confuses IFSP and IEP eligibility ages, or treats 504 plans as equivalent to IEPs (504 provides accommodations without specialized instruction).
Classroom acoustics and access
Know ANSI classroom acoustics recommendations (background noise and reverberation limits), signal-to-noise ratio concepts, and the benefit of remote microphone systems. Also know the impact of unilateral and minimal/mild loss on academic performance.
Worked rule of thumb: Match the plan to the age: under 3 → IFSP (family-centered, natural environment); 3 through 21 → IEP (specialized instruction and related services). If a child needs only accommodations (e.g., preferential seating, FM system) without specialized instruction, a 504 plan may apply.