Language is No Barrier for Testing Young Children

For a long time, the Word Intelligibility by Picture Identification (WIPI)© has been a popular closed set test for children since it utilizes a picture pointing response method. While it is an extremely useful test, it has one major limitation. It can only be used on English-speaking children.

Many years after the Word Intelligibility by Picture Identification was released, the Spanish Pediatric Picture Identification Test© was developed. It is a closed set test that utilizes a picture pointing response method for Spanish speaking children. The Spanish Pediatric Picture Identification Test© – Male Talker version uses a talker with a European accent while the Spanish Pediatric Picture Identification Test© – Female Talker version uses a talker from Mexico. While that was a major victory for Spanish-speaking children around the world, there are still millions of children who cannot be tested with the Word Intelligibility by Picture Identification or Spanish Pediatric Picture Identification Test because they do not speak English or Spanish.

Few test developers have access to the resources necessary to create new tests so it is unrealistic to expect a picture-pointing test for young children in every language and accent. Children who do not speak English or Spanish cannot simply be ignored, and there is a simple solution that has been around for many years. A closed set picture pointing test known as the Sound Effects Recognition Test (SERT)© is an ideal way to test these precious children. It utilizes the picture pointing method with an audio recording of sounds like a barking dog, whistling, or a vacuum.

Now all three tests include a wipeable picture book. That means the pages can be easily wiped to prevent the spread of germs. The audiology community can now work together to serve every customer without any limitations. Visit www.auditec.com for a full catalog of Auditec, Inc.’s products for audiologists and other trained professionals.

Perfect Time to Start APD Testing

Whether you are in a hospital, school, or private practice setting, NOW is the time to start APD testing. You have time to review the materials and be ready for your clients when people get back to their daily lives. A popular question around here is “What APD battery should I buy?” If you are just starting out, I would recommend one of the following:

The APD Battery (Item CD170-9) is ideal for communities that have non-English speakers or areas with multiple cultural accents because all of the tests are nonverbal. It includes the Gaps In Noise (GIN), Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT), Pitch Pattern Sequence-Musiek Version, Duration Pattern Sequence-Musiek Version, and Masking Level Difference-Tones. Each test has its own instructions with normative data for various ages. The APD Battery costs $329.75 US funds plus shipping (free shipping in the US).

The MAPA-2 Battery (Item CD179-9) is another popular choice. This battery includes a mix of verbal and nonverbal recordings. It is comprised of monaural, temporal, and binaural testing. A testing manual is provided with interpretation for ages 7-14. The MAPA-2 Battery costs $215.00 US funds plus shipping (free shipping in the US).

The SCAN-3 Battery is also widely used in the audiology community. It can be used as a screening test or diagnostic tool. This battery also consists of both verbal and nonverbal recordings. The SCAN-3 Child Version (Item CD121-9) includes a manual and normative data for ages 5-12. It costs $350.60 US funds. The SCAN-3 Adult & Adolescent Version (Item CD122-9) includes a manual and interpretation for ages 13-60. This version also costs $350.60 US funds plus shipping (free shipping in the US).

Many factors can affect your choice of APD Batteries such as language, age group, and budget. Whether you choose the APD Battery, MAPA-2, SCAN-3, or choose individual APD tests from the large variety in our catalog, Auditec is here to supply your needs with fast friendly service.

New Auditory Products for 2018

Auditec is pleased to announce the following new products for 2018.

Order from our alphabetical online catalog at www.auditec.com. Questions? Email auditecinfo@auditec.com.

Children Category

The following items are for children. Click on the test name to learn more about the product.

⇒Need help figuring out what recording is right for your patients? We are happy to help! Email your questions to auditecinfo@auditec.com.

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Picture Pointing Category

The following products require the patient to listen to test stimuli and then point to a corresponding picture. Test stimuli may be a word, sentence, or noise depending on the test. Pictures may or may not be included with the product. Click on the test name to read descriptions and included items.

⇒Need help figuring out what recording is right for your patients? We are happy to help! Email your questions to auditecinfo@auditec.com.

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Basic Auditory Tests Version V©

The Basic Auditory Tests Version V© includes several popular test recordings at an INCREDIBLE PRICE! Version V includes:

The NU-6, W-22, and PBK word lists are recorded on the left track, and the competing noise is on the right. This versatile recording can be administered for masking, speech in noise, or words in quiet. With a dual-channel audiometer, the administrator can set their own signal-to-noise ratio by mixing the left and right channels. They can access the left channel only to administer the word lists in quiet.

The Basic Auditory Tests Version V© includes a) audio recording and b) printed word lists. This product does not include instructions, normative data, or pictures. It is assumed that purchasers of Auditec’s auditory tests are well trained in the use, purpose, and interpretation of basic tests. ©COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Auditec’s recordings are protected by copyright. Each product represents one license for up to two audiometers at one location. Sharing, uploading to servers, publishing to the internet, and all other forms of distribution are prohibited. Email questions regarding copyright to auditecinfo@auditec.com.

Available from Auditec, Inc. Use the “Buy Now” button below to order. FREE shipping to contiguous US locations.  INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS: Importers are responsible for duties and taxes. Auditec advises your organization to contact your government to estimate tax prior to ordering.

Basic Auditory Tests Version V© (CD Format); Item CD101R5; Price $106.00 US Funds & S&H*
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Basic Auditory Tests Version V© (USB Format); Item USB101R5; Price $112.00 US Funds & S&H*
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Picture Spondee Word Card- Classic Drawing©

The Pictured Spondee Word Card – Classic Drawing© is a picture-pointing speech threshold card to test young or non-verbal children. There are 12 spondee representations displayed as color drawings on this color 8½ x 11 inch glossy card. See sample below.

The Picture Spondee Word Card – Classic Drawing© includes the picture card only. This product does not include administration instructions or normative data. It is assumed that purchasers of Auditec’s products are well trained in their use, purpose, and interpretation.

©COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Auditec’s materials are protected by copyright. Copying, uploading to servers, publishing to the internet, and all other forms of unauthorized distribution are prohibited. Email questions regarding copyright to auditecinfo@auditec.com.

Available from Auditec, Inc.  Use the “Buy Now” button below to order. FREE shipping within the contiguous US. INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS: Importers are responsible for duties and taxes. Auditec advises your organization to contact your government to estimate tax prior to ordering.

Deal! Buy three cards, and get one free¹! (Scroll down to read more about this offer.)

Picture Spondee Word Card – Classic Drawing© (Card Only); Item P143; Price $5.00 USD + S&H
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Classic PSW 2021-03-04 001

¹NOTE: Order three cards using the “Buy Now” button, and Auditec will include a fourth card for free. (The free card will not appear in your cart at the time of your order, but it will be automatically included with your order.) This offer cannot be combined with any other discounts. Valid for a limited time only.

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Picture Spondee Word Card -Photo Version©

The Pictured Spondee Word Card – Photo Version© is a picture-pointing speech threshold card to test young or non-verbal children. There are 12 spondee representations displayed as photos on this color 8½ x 11 inch glossy card. See sample below.

The Picture Spondee Word Card – Photo Version© includes the picture card only. This product does not include administration instructions or normative data. It is assumed that purchasers of Auditec’s products are well trained in their use, purpose, and interpretation.

©COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Auditec’s materials are protected by copyright. Copying, uploading to servers, publishing to the internet, and all other forms of unauthorized distribution are prohibited. Email questions regarding copyright to auditecinfo@auditec.com.

Available from Auditec, Inc.  Use the “Buy Now” button below to order. FREE shipping within the contiguous US. INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS: Importers are responsible for duties and taxes. Auditec advises your organization to contact your government to estimate tax prior to ordering.

Deal! Buy three cards, and get one free¹! (Scroll down to read more about this offer.)

Picture Spondee Word – Photo Version© (Card Only); Item P143R; Price $5.00 USD + S&H
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Photo PSW

¹NOTE: Order three cards using the “Buy Now” button, and Auditec will include a fourth card for free. (The free card will not appear in your cart at the time of your order, but it will be automatically included with your order.) This offer cannot be combined with any other discounts. Valid for a limited time only.

CONTINUE SHOPPING

Attention Deficits: Is it ADD/ADHD or APD?

Children with attention deficits can be hard to diagnose. Is it attention deficit disorder (ADD)/ Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder (ADHD) or is it an Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)? Auditec offers tools to help professionals correctly diagnose children so that appropriate steps can be taken to manage the attention deficit.

Many professionals still rely on solely on subjective information such as observations by parents and teachers to diagnose ADD/ADHD. However, there is an objective, quantifiable test to help diagnose (or rule out) ADD/ADHD as a cause of the child’s attention deficit. It is called the Auditory Continuous Performance Test (ACPT). This test is a recorded word list given in quiet (no background noise). The child listens and responds to a target word. It is a pass or fail test with normative data on ages 6-11.

Auditec provides established and reliable tests like the Auditory Continuous Performance Test. With these tools, skilled professionals can confidently diagnose children with the correct disorder(s). Then recommendations can be customized according to the diagnosis to help the patient succeed in life. “Problem kids” become superheroes, and their skilled professionals do too!

Speech Discrimination for Children

For speech discrimination testing in adults, audiologists often choose either the W-22 or NU-6. If they want to shorten the testing time, they will use a list that is ordered by difficulty or a short interval recording. However, the choice between word recognition tests becomes more complicated when it comes to children because there are several to choose from. I am often asked: Which test is best? There is not one clear answer because the best test depends on the age range of your patients.

If your patients’ age range is 12 and older, you can confidently administer the adult word lists such as the W-22 Form A or NU-6 Form A. Depending on the vocabulary of the child, you may choose to administer these lists to kids a little younger than 12. The administrator must start the recording, then the patient simply repeats the word he or she hears on the recording.

The PBK-50 Form A word list was designed for lower grade school age children. The PBK is similar to the W-22 or NU-6 word list except the vocabulary is more appropriate for this younger age group. Again, the patient simply repeats the word as he or she hears on the recording.

WIPI 2

The Word Intelligibility by Picture Identification (WIPI) fits a lower age range of 5 to 8 year olds. This test makes use of a picture book (sample at left). The child listens to the recording, then points to the pictured representation of the word as he or she hears it. There are six choices on each page. Aside from being easier for younger children, it is also beneficial for the test administrator to see the selection by using picture-pointing since the child’s spoken response may be difficult to understand.

image005The Northwestern University-Children’s Perception of Speech (NU-CHIPS) test reaches an even younger age range. Ages 2-5 can be tested by administering this picture-pointing test. As you can see from the pictures at right, there are less choices for the younger child to select from as they listen to the recording.

The test an audiologist administers to a child should be appropriate for his or her age group (or language age). If the test is too easy or too hard, the test results may not show his or her true ability to discriminate speech. Therefore, it may be necessary to purchase one or more tests for your patients depending on the patient age range. You have been entrusted to evaluate the hearing of these amazing kids so it is up to you to utilize the best and most appropriate tests available.