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Setting up Sound Scouts for a child

How to prepare the device, environment, and child for a reliable hearing screen.

Before you begin

  • Use a touchscreen mobile device.
  • Use good-quality adult headphones or earbuds (not children’s, gaming, or surround-sound headphones). See What type of headphones should I use?
  • Test in a quiet room, free from background noise and distractions.
  • Make sure the child is well rested and not hungry before starting.

During the test

  1. Open the app and tap New Session, then Start.
  2. Select Create Player, enter the childโ€™s details (including an ID, month and year of birth, optional email for the report).
  3. Select the Triple Factor Hearing Screener when testing at home.
  4. The adult completes the Supervisor Setup โ€” listen carefully and respond when prompted.
  5. With the child, select the five words they know best. Use the Trial Run Activities to familiarise the child with the test activities. Before starting the test, explain to them: โ€œListen carefully. When you hear the words or sound, drag the matching item or tap the screen. If you canโ€™t hear anything, wait โ€” the sound will come back.โ€
  6. Supervise the child throughout. Remind them not to tap randomly.
  7. The game takes approximately 6โ€“8 minutes and must be completed in one sitting.

After the test

Results appear on screen following testing if the device is connected to the internet. If you provide an email address, a report is also sent by email. If a hearing issue is indicated, the report will suggest next steps.

Download Testing Children at Home Guide (PDF)