Use bubbles+ other distractions while testing OAE's

Most little children love bubbles

Slowly blowing bubbles with one hand, not in child's eyes, while holding OAE probe transducer* in other hand to 'chase' or follow child's head movements works wonders. Child can quietly pop the bubbles with their finger or you can with your nose . . . use your imagination. Let the child show you what they need, i.e, pay attention to their interests . . .

click on photo above for some entertaining,

expert bubble-blowing tips

*Don't hold the OAE probe itself in ear - that makes too much noise and ties you down, making it hard to pay attention to the child or blow bubbles in a controlled fashion. After all, who else has such a cool job where they get paid to blow bubbles?

The large dome-type bubble holders that don't spill can be held with your legs during this.Sparkly wands, other visual quiet distractions or toys work well for other children.

When I run out of 'children' things, I'll often just grab something nearby from my desk. Some children will be so distracted by the unusual, like holding my hole puncher, unusual pen, sticky note pad, wooden egg my son carved for me . . . anything different that provides an experience to hold their attention.

Some children could care less about purely visual distractions; they need to do something physically with their hands. A fairly quiet toy that they have to push on or slide things to make it do something, colored pegs or rings . . . can do the trick.

One child's mother suggested I turn the lights down and let him nurse under a blanket - it worked like a charm!

Some are content to look at a picture book; others a (silent) video on my computer monitor.

In my work setting we only see children up to age 3. Some of the older children (almost 3) like to hit the buttons to turn on the OAE unit or 'enter' key on my computer and watch the screen as "their ear connects the dots. . ."

All of the above also goes for tympanometry and please, please don't forget to try and get acoustic reflexes!! Two ipsi-acoustic reflexes per ear (2 frequencies), rules out auditory dys-synchrony (auditory neuropathy).

My OAE unit is next to a small couch in my small office, with a stuffed animal, a few select children's books and good view of the outside. There are plants on the window-sill. This does not look like a doctor's office.