(1) Schools shall use hearing screening equipment that delivers tonal stimuli at frequencies of 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 hertz (Hz) at a sound level of 20 decibels (dB), measured at the earphones, consistent with Acoustical Society of America (ASA)/American National Standards Institute (ANSI) S3.6-2018 (R 2023) standards.
(2) Qualified persons will check the calibration of frequencies and intensity at the earphones at least once a year using equipment designed for audiometer calibration.
(3) Otoacoustic emission (OAE) screening devices may be used to screen students who cannot participate in pure tone hearing screening including, but not limited to:
(a) Students with special health care needs;
(b) Students with developmental delays or disabilities;
(c) Students who speak a language other than English;
(d) Students who are not old enough or have difficulty understanding the screener's instructions.
(4) OAE screening devices shall not replace screening using pure tone hearing screening equipment except as described in subsection (3)(a) through (d) of this section.
(5) If schools use OAE devices for students who cannot participate in pure tone hearing screening, they shall use calibrated equipment that delivers appropriate stimuli and pass/refer criteria.
(a) The tonal stimuli used during the test must be:
(i) 65/55 dB for distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs); or
(ii) 80 dB for transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs).
(b) For a pass result, the screening device must show a response at least three dB louder than the background noise at a minimum of three different frequencies, ranging from 2,000 Hz to 8,000 Hz.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.210.020. WSR 25-15-072, s 246-760-030, filed 7/15/25, effective 8/15/25. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.210.200. WSR 02-20-079, § 246-760-030, filed 9/30/02, effective 10/31/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 91-02-051 (Order 124B), recodified as § 246-760-030, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.31.030. WSR 87-22-010 (Order 306), § 248-148-031, filed 10/26/87.]