An operant tracking procedure in the auditory assessment of profoundly retarded individuals.

Tanguay et al. (1982) built a hearing test for people who can't talk or follow long instructions. Three adults with profound intellectual disability sat in a quiet room. Each time they heard a tone, they learned to press a button to keep a light on. No errors were allowed during teaching. The tone got softer and softer until the team found the quietest sound each person could hear.

All three clients tracked their own hearing thresholds. The button-press data lined up with standard audiogram curves. The method worked even for people who had never taken a regular hearing test. It took only one short session per person.

Rapport et al. (1982) warned that yes-no discrete trials can hurt stimulus control. They showed lower detection scores when trials were slow and reinforcement was thin. E et al. solved this by keeping trials rapid and using an errorless teaching phase.

Boren et al. (1970) proved the tracking idea first, but with rats. E et al. moved the same logic to humans who cannot speak.

Morse et al. (1966) gave us fast data capture tools. E et al. added a client-friendly response: a simple button press that even non-verbal clients could use.

You now have a five-minute way to check hearing on non-verbal adults. No need for sedation, travel to a hospital, or special booths. Try the errorless button-press track next time you suspect hearing loss is fueling problem behavior. Start with a loud tone, fade volume, and reinforce every correct press. You will leave the session with a clear threshold number you can share with the audiologist.