Visual Reinforcement Audiometry
Also written as: VRA — Visual Reinforcement Audiometry
A behavioral hearing test technique for infants and toddlers in which correct head-turn responses to sound are rewarded with an illuminated or animated visual stimulus.
Full Definition
Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) is the gold-standard behavioral hearing assessment method for children aged approximately 6 months to 2.5 years. A conditioned head-turn response to an auditory stimulus is reinforced by activating an attractive visual reward (typically an illuminated toy or video clip) located near the loudspeaker. VRA can be conducted in soundfield or via insert earphones to obtain ear-specific thresholds. Editors should always expand the abbreviation at first use and distinguish the technique from Conditioned Play Audiometry, which is used in the next developmental age group.
Usage
Usage note: VRA should not be abbreviated without prior expansion in formal clinical documents. It is distinct from Behavioural Observation Audiometry (BOA), which is used with neonates and does not require conditioned responses.
In Context
- "Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) revealed bilateral hearing thresholds within normal limits at all test frequencies." — Infant diagnostic audiology report
- "VRA was selected over CPA given the patient's developmental age of 14 months." — Pediatric audiology clinical note