Question
What is the Functional Listening Evaluation (FLE)? Do you recommend using this to help make a convincing case for use of FM systems in the classroom? Also, have you considered incorporating it in an aided vs. unaided scenario to demonstrate classroom benefit?
Answer
The FLE is a series of speech recognition tasks you can performance in the classroom with calibrated signals. The FLE is available in the Educational Audiology Handbook by Johnson, Benson & Seaton (1997) and there is also a copy of the FLE online (www.cde.state.co.us/cdesped/download/pdf/s4-FunListEval.pdf). I have used variations of it in cases where there has been a question about whether a child would actually benefit from an FM system. This is typically a child with auditory processing difficulties or a unilateral hearing loss. Most of the time, when there is a hearing loss, the child presents with enough data and other indications of acceptance and benefit of the FM system. I don't use the FLE routinely, but I do find it very helpful when there is a question about benefit. As far as using it in aided vs. unaided situations, I think it is fine to use before you've implemented the FM system, and then again once the FM system has been in use for a while, as a before and after comparison. It becomes very helpful when you have a difference of opinion where there are other people in the educational setting that don't feel like the child is getting benefit and you might need to show some specific evidence.
Reference
Johnson, C.D. Benson, P.V. & Seaton, J.B. (1997). Educational Audiology Handbook San Diego: Singular Publishing Group, Inc.
Dr. Linda Thibodeau is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Dallas since 1997 where she co-directs the Pediatric Aural Habilitation Training Specialist Project. Prior to that she worked at the University of Texas at Austin, at the University of Texas Speech and Hearing Institute, in otolaryngology clinics, and in the public schools. She teaches in the areas of Amplification and Pediatric Aural Habilitation. Her research involves evaluation of the speech perception of listeners with hearing loss and auditory processing problems as well as evaluation of amplification systems and assistive listening devices (ALDs) designed to help those persons. She consults with several school districts and manufacturers regarding FM arrangements in the classroom. Her interests include serving as the co-chair of the ANSI committee to develop a standard for the Electroacoustic Evaluation of ALDs; and serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology. She is a 2006 Contributing Editor for Audiology Online.
