Using the ‘Whisper Test’ to Identify Hearing Loss in Young Children

A hearing impediment or loss can have profoundly negative effects on a child's personal, social and academic growth if it is not identified at an early age. This study used a bio-ecological model of development with an asset-based approach to assessment. The focus was on identifying the strengths of learners and assets in the environment with a view to providing appropriate intervention. During a pilot study, the teachers of the Unisa Centre for Early Childhood Education (UCECE) used the whisper test to assess the hearing of the children in their classes. The results were verified by audiologists using formal hearing tests. As a result of the findings of the whisper test, checklist and formal hearing tests affected children could be referred for further medical diagnosis and interventions. The main aim of this study was to provide training guidelines for early childhood teachers on how to screen children with hearing loss with the assistance of audiologists. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n14p51