The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter,
shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise.
(1) American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)--The AAP is
a nationally recognized professional organization which issues recommended
standards pertaining to the health and well-being of children.
(2) American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology
and Strabismus (AAPOS)--AAPOS is a nationally-recognized professional
body which, in conjunction with the AAP, issues recommended vision
screening standards. The goals of AAPOS are to advance the quality
of children's eye care, support the training of pediatric ophthalmologists,
support research activities in pediatric ophthalmology, and advance
the care of adults with strabismus.
(3) American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI)--The
national coordinator of standards development and the United States
clearinghouse for information on national and international standards.
(4) Audiometer--An electrical device for testing hearing,
and for measuring bone and air conduction of sound.
(5) Audiometric calibration equipment--Electro-acoustical
equipment used to calibrate audiometers and audiometric testing devices.
The term includes frequency counters, voltmeters, and distortion measuring
equipment used to calibrate audiometers and audiometric testing devices.
(6) Audiometric testing device--An electro-acoustical
generator that provides acoustic energy of a calibrated output.
(7) Biological calibration check--The process of testing
a person having a known, stable audiometric curve that does not exceed
25 decibels (dB) hearing level at any frequency between 250 and 6000
Hertz (Hz), and comparing the test results with the subject's known
baseline audiogram.
(8) Calibration--The process of comparing an instrument
or device with a standard to determine its accuracy and to make the
necessary repairs or adjustments to assure that the operating characteristics
are within the allowable limits established by a national standard,
all in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
(9) Certification--The process by which the Department
of State Health Services (department) trains individuals to conduct
vision and/or hearing screening or provides training to instructors.
The applicable certification is awarded following the successful completion
of any of the course scenarios in this paragraph.
(10) dB--The decibel is a unit for expressing the relative
intensity of sounds on a scale from zero for the average least perceptible
sound to approximately 130 for the average pain level.
(11) Exhaustive calibration--A calibration that tests
all settings for both earphones.
(12) Extended recheck--A screen used after the child
has failed two sweep-check screens. The screener may perform an extended
recheck or initiate a referral for a professional examination, as
defined in this section, after the two failed sweep-check screens.
(13) Facility--Includes public or private preschools
and schools, as defined as follows:
(A) schools, as the term is defined at Texas Health
and Safety Code, §36.003(7);
(B) preschools, as the term is defined at Texas Health
and Safety Code, §36.003(3);
(C) child care centers licensed by the Department of
Family and Protective Services (DFPS); and
(D) child care homes licensed by DFPS.
(14) Hz--Hertz is a unit of frequency equal to one
cycle per second.
(15) Licensed professional--An individual whose legally-defined
scope of practice under the license includes knowledge and experience
in conducting professional examinations and screenings for vision
and/or hearing abnormalities in children, all consistent with this
subchapter and Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 36. The terms
"professional examination" and "screening" are as defined in this
section.
(16) Pass/Fail--Allowable documentation of results
of vision screening when photoscreening is used for vision screening,
in accordance with this subchapter. The documentation of the screening
results is in lieu of visual acuity results using "20/20" format.
(17) Photoscreening--A form of pediatric vision screening
that uses a special-purpose camera to determine how well a child can
see. It is an alternative under this subchapter to visual acuity-based
screening with an eye chart for certain children, as specified herein.
Other related terms are: autorefractor, objective screening and instrument-based
screening. Photoscreening cannot determine exactly how well a child's
visual acuity is developing. Important factors that affect visual
acuity such as accommodative ability (focusing ability), binocular
vision development, and other eye health issues are not assessed via
photoscreening.
(18) Professional examination (also referred to as
examination)--A diagnostic evaluation performed by an appropriately
licensed professional or by a department-certified individual whose
expertise addresses the diagnostic needs of the individual identified
as having a possible special senses or communication disorder. A professional
examination is one that is done according to the requirements of this
subchapter and of the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 36.
(19) Program--The department's Vision and Hearing Screening
Program.
(20) Pure-tone audiometer--A pure-tone audiometer electronically
generates pure-tones which are used as signals to test a person's
hearing.
(21) Reporting year--A 12-month period beginning June
1 of each year and ending May 31 of the following year.
(22) Screening--A test or battery of tests for rapidly
determining the need for a professional examination.
(23) Screening equipment--An instrument or device used
to perform a measurement or measurements for the assessment of sensory
abilities.
(24) Sweep-check--A quick hearing screening test using
a pure-tone audiometer to determine whether a person can hear the
following frequencies: 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 4000 Hz at less than
or equal to 25 dB.
(25) Telebinocular instrument--A stereoscopic instrument
for screening various eye defects and measuring visual acuity.
(26) Testing equipment--An instrument or device used
under this subchapter to perform a measurement or measurements to
substantiate or verify the presence or absence of sensory impairment(s).
(27) Tests--Procedures under this subchapter to measure
special senses and communication functions.
(28) Visual acuity--The relative ability of the visual
organ to resolve detail that is measured and recorded using an internationally
recognized, two-figured indicator, such as 20/20.
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