D-0128588-C – 2021/03
VRA Screen - Instructions for Use - EN
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Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA)
VRA is a tool that can help keeping young patients stay focused during audiometric or other procedures by
giving them a visual reward. The test is performed by an audiometer or another medical device. By using vis-
ual reinforcement, the child is trained to move their head to either side and indicate that they have heard the
sound, thus giving the clinician an indication of the hearing level.
VRA is often done in a free field environment when it is infants/very young toddlers, and it is therefore not
possible to determine which side the sound was heard at, at a specific sound level. If the child accepts it,
headphones or foam tips with inserts can be used to make an ear specific audiometry.
In the VRA setup there are usually two screens, one on each side of the child. When the clinician is present-
ing a sound, the child is prompted to turn its head towards the sound. This can require some training at first.
When the child moves its head towards the sound heard, the screen is activated by the operator, and an ani-
mation or image is presented as a reward.
By using the VRA setup it makes it more fun for the young child to participate in the examination and it does
not seem so intimidating getting a hearing test, when cartoons and toys are used.
