The BAA successfully organised a two-day paediatric training event in the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh. Both days were extremely successful, adopting an interactive format of presentations, case studies and practicals, with time for question-and-answer sessions. The event was supported by Interacoustics, which provided additional assistance with the practical sessions.
Day one was largely aimed at testing using Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR). Dr Siobhan Brennan and Jason Smalley led the day’s events, which included New-born Hearing Screening, the use of ABR as a diagnostic test of hearing and how to use ABR to build a picture of a child’s hearing. Dr Siobhan effortlessly explained the principles of ABR in testing babies and discussed recommendations on how to achieve robust and accurate results. Jason Smalley opened the floor and examined complex cases studies.
As well as reinforcing my existing knowledge, these presentations and discussions truly challenged my way of thinking. Dr Brennan went on to discuss the importance of peer reviewing of results and recommendations of how to set up a peer-review service. The practical hands-on sessions were extremely beneficial for me as I was previously a novice at using the Interacoustics Eclipse. I certainly felt more confident after the session.
Day two was all about the bread-and-butter of paediatric audiology: behavioural hearing assessments of children. This day focused on the cross-check principle of behavioural hearing assessments such as Visual Reinforcement Audiometry and Conditioned Play Audiometry. In addition to hearing assessments, there was a discussion of the importance of support around the child and their family as well as effective management of the child’s hearing loss.
Sam Lear and Jason Smalley facilitated this day, with Georgie Hill and Kieran Joseph presenting remotely. Sam Lear’s presentation on collaborative support was very well received, especially as she echoed the Scottish Quality Standards, which was extremely relevant to the target audience. Georgie Hill’s talk on challenging cases was insightful, as was the section on Speech Intelligibility Index scores in Kieran Joseph’s presentation. Open discussions were again a highlight of this day which, in conjunction with the presentations, challenged me to consider new, practical factors in my clinical practice.
I cannot recommend this event enough. The BAA ensured the delivery and style of the course was to everyone’s standard. Whether or not you’re new to paediatric audiology, this course helps support learning with a thought-provoking, interactive, open, honest, and well-structured manner.
Feraz Ahmed, Highly Specialised Audiologist, NHS Forth Valley, UK
