One of the benefits of otoacoustic emissions (OAE) hearing screening is that it can be conducted accurately even if a screener does not speak the same language as a child.  It is not so simple to bridge a language gap when it comes to communicating  screening results to parents, but if you serve families whose primary language is Spanish, the ECHO Initiative has some tools to help:

• Sample letters introduce OAE screening to parents in English and Spanish and describe the need for referral to a health care provider if a child does not pass the screening.

• Sample "scripts" provide language for screeners to use when sharing specific OAE hearing screening results with parents in Spanish.

In addition, the ECHO Initiative also has tools to help train screeners and staff whose primary language is Spanish:

• The  Video Tutorial Companion Handbook in Spanish provides core information on planning an OAE hearing screening program, training screeners, and implementing a tracking and follow-up process for children who need further screening or evaluation.  Staff members who are learning to conduct OAE screenings can read each chapter in Spanish and watch the corresponding video module (in English), to access the training content.

• The OAE Screening and Diagnostic Follow-up forms in Spanish help screeners record screening results and, when needed, track a child through the diagnostic process.

• The Hearing Aid Listening Check video and Handout  introduce Spanish-speaking program staff to the  basics of serving children who rely on hearing aids in educational and home settings.

OAE screening technology is just one part of a hearing screening program; finding ways for all participants to communicate effectively is equally important to overall program success.