Identifying Children With Hearing Loss: The Key Role of School Nurses in Evidence-Based Screenings

Area of Science:

• Pediatric audiology
• School health services
• Educational psychology

Background:

• Undetected hearing loss in school-aged children negatively affects academic performance and social development.
• The incidence of hearing impairment rises during school years, underscoring the need for consistent screening.
• Early identification and intervention are vital to mitigate long-term consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify barriers school nurses encounter during hearing screenings.
• To review established, evidence-based methods for childhood hearing screening.
• To emphasize the critical role of school nurses in advocating for and performing regular hearing assessments.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of evidence-based childhood hearing screening protocols.
• Analysis of common challenges faced by school nurses in implementing screenings.
• Synthesis of best practices for audiological assessments in educational settings.

Main Results:

• Identified key barriers faced by school nurses in conducting hearing screenings.
• Presented two validated, evidence-based approaches for effective childhood hearing screening.
• Highlighted the necessity of proactive screening and advocacy by school nursing professionals.

Conclusions:

• School nurses play a pivotal role in addressing hearing loss challenges in students.
• Implementing evidence-based screening methods can overcome identified barriers.
• Consistent hearing screening is essential for supporting students' overall well-being and academic achievement.