THE LING SIX SOUND CHECK
What is the Ling Six Sound Check?
The Ling Six Sound Check is an easy-to-use tool that evaluates how well children are hearing with their cochlear implant and/or hearing aid. The test is a behavioural listening check that uses simple sounds to detect changes in the quality of a child’s hearing. The test should be completed at the start of each school day or therapy session and any time you suspect a child is not hearing as well as they normally do.
The sounds used for the Ling Six Sound Check are “ahh”, “eee”, “ooo”, “mmm”, “shh”, and “sss”. These sounds approximately cover sounds ranging from 250-4000 Hz and represent speech in the low, mid, and high frequencies. The chart below describes how these sounds broadly represent the sounds needed to hear spoken language.
The Ling Six Sound Check is an easy-to-use tool that evaluates how well children are hearing with their cochlear implant and/or hearing aid. The test is a behavioural listening check that uses simple sounds to detect changes in the quality of a child’s hearing. The test should be completed at the start of each school day or therapy session and any time you suspect a child is not hearing as well as they normally do.
The sounds used for the Ling Six Sound Check are “ahh”, “eee”, “ooo”, “mmm”, “shh”, and “sss”. These sounds approximately cover sounds ranging from 250-4000 Hz and represent speech in the low, mid, and high frequencies. The chart below describes how these sounds broadly represent the sounds needed to hear spoken language.
How do I Complete the Ling Six Sound Check?
Considerations for Different Ages
The Ling Six Sound Check can be used with children of different ages and various auditory skill levels. Babies and very young children will provide responses that allow you to confirm detection and possibly discrimination. Older children will provide responses that allow you to confirm identification. Keep in mind that a child who is a new recipient of a cochlear implant or hearing aid will begin with detection tasks and then progress to discrimination and identification tasks as appropriate. Below is a description of the auditory skill levels you can test with the Ling Six Sound Check:
- Verify the child’s equipment is on and set at the appropriate settings.
- Sit beside the child. Younger children can be seated in a high chair. Always position yourself on the child’s better hearing side.
- If you are using an auditory screen, hold it about four inches in front of your mouth so your mouth is completely covered.
- Using a normal speaking level, say each of the sounds so that they can be discriminated through listening alone.
- Make sure you are not providing any visual cues such as raising your eyebrows or other facial movements and that the child cannot lip-read.
- Each of the sounds should be presented for the same length of time without rising or falling pitch.
- After presenting each sound, wait for the child to respond in a manner that is appropriate for their age (see the Considerations for Different Ages section below for further information).
- Present all six sounds at least three times in random order. Vary the length of your pauses.
- Occasionally make no sound at all, allowing “nothing” to be an appropriate response.
- Keep track of the child’s responses so you can compare performance over time.
Considerations for Different Ages
The Ling Six Sound Check can be used with children of different ages and various auditory skill levels. Babies and very young children will provide responses that allow you to confirm detection and possibly discrimination. Older children will provide responses that allow you to confirm identification. Keep in mind that a child who is a new recipient of a cochlear implant or hearing aid will begin with detection tasks and then progress to discrimination and identification tasks as appropriate. Below is a description of the auditory skill levels you can test with the Ling Six Sound Check:
Babies (Detection Task) When babies hear one of the Ling Six Sounds presented, they may respond through a behavioral cue such as eye widening, turning their head, or displaying a change in sucking behavior if using a pacifier or having a bottle. Keep in mind the baby must be able to consistently repeat these types of behavioral responses when sound is presented for the response to be considered valid.
Young Children (Discrimination and Identification Task) You can help young children respond using a higher-level discrimination or identification response with the use of toys. It is easy to find toys to represent each of the Ling Six Sounds. For example, an airplane for the “ahh” sound and a snake for the “sss” sound. Instructions for how to train children to complete a discrimination or identification task are below
Very Young Children (Detection Task) Very young children can be taught to respond each time they hear by dropping a block in a bucket, pointing to their ear, or raising their hand. These methods are called Conditioned Play. Instructions on how to train children to complete a detection task using a Conditioned Play response are below
Older Children (Identification Task) Older children can respond by pointing to a picture card that represents each sound or by simply repeating what was heard.
Young Children (Discrimination and Identification Task) You can help young children respond using a higher-level discrimination or identification response with the use of toys. It is easy to find toys to represent each of the Ling Six Sounds. For example, an airplane for the “ahh” sound and a snake for the “sss” sound. Instructions for how to train children to complete a discrimination or identification task are below
Very Young Children (Detection Task) Very young children can be taught to respond each time they hear by dropping a block in a bucket, pointing to their ear, or raising their hand. These methods are called Conditioned Play. Instructions on how to train children to complete a detection task using a Conditioned Play response are below
Older Children (Identification Task) Older children can respond by pointing to a picture card that represents each sound or by simply repeating what was heard.
