Central Rivers Area Education Agency (AEA) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, marital status, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic background or disability in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices as required by all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action laws, directives, and regulations of federal, state and local governing bodies and agencies. Students, parents of students, applicants for employment and employees of Central Rivers AEA shall have the right to file a formal complaint alleging non-compliance with federal and state regulations requiring nondiscrimination in educational programs and employment. Inquiries concerning application of this statement should be addressed to: Karl Kurt, Equity Coordinator, Central Rivers AEA, 1521 Technology Pkwy, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613, Telephone: 800-542-8375.

Hearing * Listening * Learning

AEA Audiologists are licensed by the state and specialize in testing and educational services for

children from birth through the school years.

Marshalltown AreaCall for appointment909 South 12th Street

Marshalltown, Iowa 50158800-735-1539 or 641-753-3564

Clear Lake Area Call for appointment

9184 265th Street, Suite BClear Lake, Iowa 50428

800-392-6640 or 641-357-6125

Cedar Falls AreaCall for appointment1521 Technology PkwyCedar Falls, IA 50613

800-542-8375 or 319-273-8200

BABIESSome babies need to have their hearing re-screened if they did not pass their Newborn Hearing Screening in the hospital. We conduct testing called Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs). A small, soft earphone is placed in each of the baby’s ears, one at a time. Quiet sounds are presented through the earphone, and we measure the ear’s responses.

TODDLERSMany toddlers experience fluid behind their eardrums or ear infections which affect their ability to hear and access sounds. Unfortunately, this may also impact their speech and language development. We can look in your child's ears (otoscopy) to visualize problems, such as fluid or excessive earwax. Tympanometry measures how well the eardrum is moving. This helps tell us if your child has fluid build-up behind his/her eardrums. We can also evaluate your child’s hearing in our hearing booth. When the child responds by turning toward the sound, he or she is rewarded by seeing a toy move or light up. This is called Visual Response Audiometry.

PRESCHOOLERS

Preschoolers are also prone to having fluid and ear infections. Normal hearing is not only important for speech and language development but also for learning and reading readiness. As with toddlers, we can conduct Otoscopy and Tympanometry.

By approximately 3 years of age, many children are able to perform Play Audiometry. We have the children drop a small toy in a container every time they hear a “beep” through the earphones.

By the time children are older, many are able to raise their hand when they hear the “beep.”

SCHOOL-AGEDAlthough school-aged children are tested in schools, they can also come to our hearing booth to receive diagnostic evaluations by appointment. Our services include:

Otoscopy (inspecting ear canal and eardrums)

Tympanometry (the measurement of the eardrum movement)

Pure-Tone Testing (hearing test)

Word Recognition Test (a test which shows the ability to hear speech clearly)

Bone-Conduction Test (used to determine type of hearing loss)

Other diagnostic tests if determined necessary

STUDENTS WITH HEARING LOSSStudents with hearing loss can come to our hearing booth to receive diagnostic evaluation and to have their hearing aids and/or other amplification equipment addressed.

Audiologists perform diagnostic hearing evaluations for children birth to 18 years of age (21 if still attending high school). This is a free service offered by the AEA.