Hearing Screenings
Hearing Screenings
Heartland AEA audiologists and audiometrists provide hearing screenings for infants, young children and Kindergarten and 2nd grade students, all at no cost to parents.
Hearing screenings and hearing tests help to determine those children with normal hearing, those who may need further testing to determine hearing status and those with hearing loss. Early detection of hearing loss can ensure that appropriate services and supports are put in place to meet the unique needs of the child.
Hearing Screenings for Children Under Age 3
Beginning July 1, 2025, referrals involving hearing concerns for children under the age of 3 will be part of the Early ACCESS referral process. Early ACCESS provides developmental screenings and comprehensive evaluations and assessments to determine whether children are eligible for services, including hearing. To support a comprehensive Child Find system, AEAs will conduct hearing screenings as part of an Early ACCESS referral. This ensures consideration of all developmental areas of concern for our youngest learners.
Through this process, a service coordinator will be assigned to each referred family to gather information, understand concerns and assist in scheduling a hearing screening appointment.
Medical providers with concerns about a child’s development can make a referral using one of the online forms linked below. Providers will no longer be able to directly schedule hearing appointments for families.
How to Make an Early ACCESS Referral
Hearing Screenings for Children Over Age 3
After a child turns 3, AEA services are provided under special education. Referrals are typically initiated by districts or the child’s parents/guardians, but can also be made by a medical provider.
For children over age 3:
- Medical providers are encouraged to provide contact information for the AEA to families and suggest that they contact us directly if they have developmental concerns.
- Providers may make a referral only with the parent/guardian’s permission and a signed release of information.
- If sufficient information is provided and a suspected disability is identified, AEA staff will follow up with the family.
Watch this great video for kids about coming to the sound booth!
Sound Booth Locations |
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| Ames Office 511 S. 17th Street Ames, IA 50010 |
Carroll Office @ Carroll DMACC Campus 906 N. Grant Road, Suite 106 Carroll, IA 51401 |
| Johnston Regional Education Center 6500 Corporate Drive Johnston, IA 50131 |
Knoxville Office 1402 N. Lincoln Street Knoxville, IA 50138 |
| Capitol View Elementary 320 E. 16th Street Des Moines, IA 50316 This sound booth is available ONLY for children who reside within the boundaries of the Des Moines Public Schools. |
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Annual Hearing Screenings in Schools
Audiology staff at Iowa’s AEAs perform hearing screenings for all Kindergarten and 2nd grade students, and any 1st graders new to school, in public school districts and accredited non-public schools across the state. These screenings are provided at no cost to districts/schools and parents.
Concerns About a Student’s Hearing
If a teacher or parent is concerned about a student’s hearing (and the student is not in Kindergarten or 2nd grade), they should contact their district/school’s AEA team for assistance. AEA staff will work through the disability suspected process as they do for other areas of concern.
Signs that a student may need to be referred for a suspected disability related to hearing may include:
- Difficulty following verbal instructions
- Frequently asking for repetition or clarification
- Misunderstanding words that sound similar
- Looking to peers to get cues on what to do before following instructions
- Asking for things to be louder
- Seeming to ignore or not respond to sounds/speech
- Complaining of ringing or buzzing in the ears
Please also consider that hearing may be having an impact on the student if there are academic concerns, especially in reading and writing, communication concerns or behavior concerns.
Who should I see for my child’s hearing concerns?
Read on for information on the differences between educational audiologists and clinical audiologists.