Audiology
Did you know that RI was the first State to mandate newborn hearing screenings? We are fortunate to be among the pioneers working for early diagnosis. Children with undiagnosed hearing loss, including auditory processing disorders, often experience a delay in speech and language development, problems learning to read and a feeling of isolation. The gap, for these children with problems in these areas widens with each passing year.
Our audiology services are tailored to the needs of children and adolescents considered “difficult-to-test” due to communication challenges and/or complex medical conditions. Our Doctor of Audiology is highly trained, with over 30 years' experience. She is dedicated to assessing each child based on their on unique strengths and needs.
Signs your child may be experiencing auditory problems:
• Delay in speech and language development
• Difficulties with reading and/or spelling
• People have to raise their voice consistently to get the child's attention.
• At any age after talking has begun, the child frequently says "huh" or "what" when somebody is speaking.
• The child responds inconsistently to sound, sometimes hearing it and other times not.
• The child has a history of ear infections - often getting earaches or runny ears.
• The child watches the speaker's face carefully
• The child complains of hurting ears
• The child turns the radio or television set up
• The child does not always come or look when called
• A child does not use verbal language
• A child frequently asks for things to be repeated
• The child seems in attentive at home or at school
• The child is easily distracted
Our audiological services:
• Are in child and family-focused, comfortable settings
• Test in conjunction with our speech and language therapists and other experts who work exclusively with children and young adults
• Prepare children prior to hearing tests so they are more comfortable during actual testing - a valuable exercise that provides more accurate test results
• Utilizes objective assessment techniques, for those unable to follow or understand directions
Evaluation, diagnosis, and support services
We identify any hearing difficulties your child may have and develop an evaluation report that can be shared with other therapists, school teachers, special education directors, pediatricians, and others involved in your child’s life. Following the evaluation, we work with you to identify the most appropriate support resources that could include the use of an FM system, a hearing aid or cochlear implant.
Referral process
Our referral coordinator will ask you a series of questions designed to ensure that your child receives the appropriate type of evaluation. You will then receive a packet of information including a questionnaire. Once we receive your completed information packet, we will contact you to schedule an appointment for an evaluation.
Call us directly for an appointment
No referral from your pediatrician or school district is necessary. Please call our referral coordinator (401) 533-9104.
Who pays for services/evaluation?
Meeting Street accepts most major insurance carriers and Medicaid.
How can we help?
We are here to help alleviate your concerns and define strategies that will help your child. Appointments are available (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday) between 8:30 am - 11:30 am. For more information, please contact our referral coordinator at (401) 533-9104 or submit this information request form.