Audiology and Hearing Support Services

BVIU Audiology and Hearing Support

The Audiology and Hearing Support Program at the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit provides specially designed instruction to students with hearing loss that directly interferes with the development of language and communication and impacts their ability to achieve educational potential.  The goal of this program is to effectively educate students with hearing loss, to the greatest extent possible, in regular education environments.  The Audiology Department and Hearing Support Program personnel support and serve all 14 school districts in Beaver County, charter and cyber schools in Beaver County and students enrolled in the BVIU Pre-School/Early Intervention programs.  Audiology and Hearing Support staff also serve the students of New Horizon School directly.  

Services available through the Audiology and Hearing Department of the BVIU include:

Audiological Screenings (through the School Nurses at each district) Services

Auditory Processing Services

Hearing Support Services (Determination of eligibility for hearing support services)

Individual Audiological Evaluation Services

Audiological Screenings

School Nurse Program

In accordance with PA State mandates for School Health Screenings, district school nurses each run their own rapid hearing screenings in their buildings. 

Any students failing that rapid screening will be re-screened on a one-on-one basis with the nurse in 2-3 weeks time after the initial failure. 

If a failure continues to occur, the nurse will record the students names and identifying information on the referral form for group audiological evaluation and send permission forms home to parent(s)/guardian(s) (referral form and sample permission slip can be found on the BVIU Website) to be completed.  Once the permission slips are back signed; the completed referral form along with copies of permission slips for each child referred are emailed to [email protected]

***In addition, nurses will add known, monitor, annually tested students onto their referral form.  No permission is needed if there is “ongoing” permission already on file with the audiology department but, if new “ongoing” permission is needed, that will be sent home for initial signature when rapid screening failures permissions are sent home.***

Once the referral form and permissions are received, nurses are contacted by the BVIU Educational Audiologist within about a week to schedule a day and time for testing at their building.

The BVIU Educational Audiologist testing will be conducted inside the school building on the date and time determined.  A table, 2 chairs and a power outlet in a quiet area will be required for the testing environment.

Any nurses requiring assistance or equipment for the rapid screenings at their buildings should contact Pam Stiffey at 724.774.7800, extension 3002 to check availability and discuss any associated pricing information. 

• District Nurses may click here for the annual Failed Screening Group Referral Form
• District Nurses may click here for a Sample Permission Slip for BVIU Audiological Testing (to be printed on district letterhead)

Auditory Processing Services 

Auditory processing services provides auditory processing screenings of varying types and lengths to children who are ages 7 to 14 years.  Screening results indicating weaknesses in the area of auditory processing will be discussed with district personnel and collaboration with district speech language pathologists will ensure students with documented processing weaknesses receive appropriate rehabilitation and assistance. 

• District Personnel may click here for the Auditory Processing Referral Checklist
• District Personnel may click here for the Auditory Processing Testing Referral Form

Hearing support service providers are certified teachers of the deaf/hard of hearing.  This service provides instruction and support for students with documented hearing loss in developing speech reading, literacy, developing auditory language, and self-advocacy skills, as well as academic support in an inclusive educational program.

• District Personnel may click here for the Hearing Support Services & HAT Qualification Referral Checklist
• District Personnel may click here for the Hearing Support Services Evaluation & HAT Qualification Referral Form

Individual Audiological Services 

Audiological Services provides evaluations to children in Beaver County. Evaluations are provided for infants/preschool through school age children to assist in determining the nature, severity, and educational implications of an existing and/or new found hearing loss. Recommendations are then given to the student’s team which may include appropriate instructional strategies, environmental accommodations, and appropriate amplification.  Appropriate referrals to other agencies are also made if warranted.

• District Personnel may click here for the Individual Audiological Evaluation Referral Form