Conditioned Play Audiometry or CPA is a hearing test designed for toddlers and preschoolers aged 2-5 years old.
Children aged 2 – 5 years old need a different approach when it comes to hearing tests. Pure tone audiometry (PTA), which requires feedback buttons, is impractical for them. That’s why audiologists use conditioned play audiometry (CPA) to better suit their cognitive abilities.
What is a conditioned play audiometry?
Conditioning play audiometry (CPA) is a gamified hearing test designed for children aged 2-5 years. Children will respond to the sounds given throughout the test by using toys like blocks, balls, or pegs, without having to press the feedback button.
What happens during the procedure?
During the procedure, headphones are placed on the child’s ears while a series of sounds are playing. The audiologist will encourage the child to throw blocks or balls into a bucket, toss balls into a basket, or place pegs into holes any time she/he hears a sound.
Each response that the child gives will be recorded to determine her/his hearing loss type and degree. The audiologist then informs the child’s parents or guardians of the necessary treatments.
