Primary care providers implementing an OAE hearing screening program may find it helpful to develop a working relationship with a pediatric audiologist who will address questions as they arise and promptly evaluate children not passing the screening. For help in locating a pediatric audiologist, contact your state's Newborn Hearing Screening or Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Public Health Program (http://www.infanthearing.org/status/ cnhs.html).

The Resources section of this website includes materials that will be helpful in training screeners and starting an OAE screening program. Use the checklist below (which can be downloaded for use in planning meetings with staff) as you implement your screening program.

OAE Screening Implementation Checklist

• Downloadable PDF of this checklist [PDF]

__ 1. Decide on the specific protocol to be followed and whether it includes tympanometry or pneumatic otoscopy for children not passing an OAE screening. (see Instructional Guide [PDF: 4.7MB], OAE Screening Form [PDF] and Recommended OAE Screening Protocol) [PDF].

__ 2. Determine how often children will be screened as a matter of standard protocol (see AAP Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care). Objective OAE screening can now replace less reliable subjective screening procedures.

__ 3. Decide how often children with risk factors [PDF] and other concerns will be screened.

__ 4. Develop a working relationship with at least one pediatric audiologist in your community who will understand your screening protocol, promptly evaluate children not passing the screening, and answer questions as they arise.

__ 5. Get acquainted with your state's newborn hearing screening or Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Public Health Program.

__ 6. Select and purchase appropriate OAE equipment that has been demonstrated to work effectively for screening children birth to three years of age. Current cost of OAE equipment is approximately $3400 - $4000. 5 (See Elements to Consider When Purchasing OAE Equipment [PDF].) Also, purchase disposable probe tips.

__ 7. Identify who will perform the OAE screening (and tympanometry or pneumatic otoscopy), at what point during the visit this will occur, and where.

__ 8. Provide training for all individuals responsible for conducting screenings and overseeing follow up. (View, download or order [PDF] Training Video and Instructional Guide [PDF: 4.7MB].)

__ 9. Designate where the equipment will be stored and who will be responsible for equipment care, maintenance, ordering supplies, training new staff, etc.

__ 10. If multiple physicians and/or staff are sharing a single piece of equipment, plan how this will be coordinated.

__ 11. Decide how OAE results will be documented. (See OAE Screening Form [PDF]).

__ 12. When children do not pass screening and need a follow-up screening, establish a plan for how children will be tracked and flagged for rescreening.

__ 13. Determine what documentation of screening results, if any, will be provided to parents and who will explain the screening results.

__ 14. Determine what documentation of screening results will be provided to audiologists when children are referred from OAE screening for further audiological evaluation.