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SPECIAL SERVICES
(a) Audiology Service
The early diagnosis of children with partial hearing is essential
if normal progress is to be achieved in the development of speech and
the child's education. The great majority of cases are diagnosed by
hearing screening tests before the child begins school. Those children
initially referred on account of speech defects which may be associated
with partial deafness have a routine hearing test by the audiometrician
before speech therapy is commenced and all pupils have a further
screening test during their second year at school. Those children
who show any defect in hearing are referred to the school medical
officer who decides whether it is necessary for them to be referred
for further investigation and treatment.
Since the more serious cases of partial hearing are detected
before school age, only a small number of school children are seen
for the first time over the age of 5 by the audiologist, only one in
1967. In cases where there is a severe loss of hearing the pupil is
referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist and a decision made
regarding the supply of a hearing aid. In a small number of cases
the pupil is considered sufficiently handicapped to require special
educational treatment at a partial hearing unit or special school
for the deaf. In the less serious cases it may only be necessary
to request.the head teacher to make certain that the pupil sits near
the front of the class and in those cases with loss of hearing in one
ear, be placed with the good ear towards the teacher. The co-operation
of teachers in this respect is much appreciated.
6 (5) new cases were supplied with hearing aids during the year
and a total of 37 (47) pupils are registered as having been so
fitted. The total number of children seen by the audiometrician
was 2095 (1935) of whom 166 (155) were found to have defective hearing
of varying degree and referred to the school medical officers for further
investigation.
(b) Speech Therapy
Speech Therapy Clinics were held at Priory Crescent Clinic, North Cheam,
Rochester Road, Carshalton, Green Wrythe Lane, Carshalton,
Shotfield, Wallington and Robin Hood Lane, Sutton.
There is a national shortage of speech therapists and it has been
necessary to employ all the speech therapists on a part-time basis.
The total number of children treated for speech therapy during 1967
was 220 (148).
One of the Speech Therapists carried out 4 sessions weekly at
Carew Manor E.S.N.School.
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