Interacoustics announces VRA Screen

In May, Interacoustics could reveal its second visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA) solution: VRA Screen. This is a digital complement to the analog VRA201.

What is VRA?

VRA is a fun and interactive hearing test, which uses visual reinforcers to encourage patient participation. This gives the clinician more time for hearing threshold estimation.

Helle Jensen, MSc Audiology, and Clinical Product Manager at Interacoustics, describes VRA a bit further:

“VRA is a method to test children from 4-36 months of age. The child is conditioned with sound from a speaker and when the child turns his/her head toward the sound, the clinician rewards the child (video or image with VRA Screen; illuminated toy with VRA201). VRA is advantageous in young children, as it is a fun and interactive way of testing.”

Figure 1: VRA Screen.

What is VRA Screen?

We asked Helle to tell us a bit about VRA Screen, and she commented:

“It allows a 1-3 screen setup in the clinic. This enables the clinician to stimulate the child from both sides and catch his/her attention when looking forward. VRA Screen includes interactive animal videos with sound, providing both auditory and visual stimuli as rewards. VRA Screen also includes a playlist creator, which provides endless opportunities and the ability to tailor the reward to the child in question.”

Amanda Goodhew, BSc (Hons) MSc Audiology, and International Clinical Trainer at the Interacoustics Academy, is also rather excited about the reveal:

“What I love most about VRA Screen is how fast and responsive it is. There is no delay to either the onset or offset of the visual reward, which is so vital for keeping the child conditioned and motivated. Combined with the ability to create your own playlists and add your own still or moving images, this places the clinician in total control of what can be fast-paced and high-pressure testing conditions.”

Main VRA Screen features

• Static images in color or contrast
• Moving images in color or contrast
• Animal animations with sound
• Default playlists
• Custom playlists with the VRA Playlist Creator

Click here to learn more about VRA Screen, or watch the video below.

About the author

Shane Seiger-Eatwell is a Master of Linguistics and Communication (cand.ling.merc.), having graduated from Aarhus University in 2018. He joined Interacoustics in January 2019 as a Marketing Communications Specialist.