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District audiologist says hearing screenings are identifying more students with possible loss
Summary
Dr. Meryl Laughlin, the district’s educational audiologist, told the board the percentage of students identified in screenings rose from about 12% to nearly 16–17% among older students and urged noise-protection education and expanded screenings.
The board heard from educational audiologist Dr. Meryl Laughlin, who said Topeka Public Schools has increased screening activity and identified a higher share of students with possible hearing issues.
"This is my fourth year being with the district," Laughlin said, and reported the district has "stepped up our screening criteria this year" to catch more students in need of follow-up. She said screening referral rates among students aged 6–19 were about 12 percent when she began offering training; the rate, she said, has risen to nearly 16 to 17 percent among middle- and high-school-age students.
Board members asked whether earlier and more frequent headphone use could be contributing to rising rates; Laughlin said the trend is worrying and stressed prevention education: "If you can hear it across the room, it is too loud," she said, encouraging parental reminders and use of hearing protection during noisy activities.
The board also recognized National Audiology Awareness Month and thanked audiology, physical-therapy and speech-pathology staff for services to students. Laughlin noted shortages of audiologists nationally and said the district trains nurses in screening protocols to support broader coverage.
Board members thanked Laughlin for additional outreach and recommended sharing hearing-loss prevention messaging with families.
