Hearing loss can impede children's language development

The earlier hearing loss occurs in a child’s life, the more serious the
effects on the child’s development. As parents discover the hearing
problem in their child, it is necessary to obtain and begin professional
help. This way, the hearing loss may
have a less serious impact on the child’s communication and learning
skills. This article considers the ways in which hearing loss of all
degrees affects children, because it will cause a delay in the
development of all learned skills, such as speech and language.

Link: http://auburnpub.com/lifestyles/hearing-loss-can-impede-children-s-language-development/article_b4c05104-b026-5a6c-ae59-fec1a5c76a06.html

The Ethics of Designing a Deaf Baby

Audiologists are devoted to helping people hear better, so it will
likely come as a shock to learn that some parents prefer that their
babies be born deaf. So-called designer deafness is the idea behind
conceiving a deaf child via preimplantation genetic diagnosis or by
selecting a sperm or egg donor with a strong family history of deafness. Read this article to learn more.

Link: http://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/Fulltext/2012/05000/Breaking_News___The_Ethics_of_Designing_a_Deaf.2.aspx

The role of telehealth in meeting the needs of persons with hearing loss

Learn about the role of telehealth in meeting the needs of persons with hearing loss by reading: Connecting to Communicate: Using Telepractice to Improve Outcomes for Children and Adults With Hearing Loss by K. Todd Houston, PhD, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT (The University of Akron )

Link: http://www.asha.org/aud/Articles/Using-Telepractice-to-Improve-Outcomes-for-Children-and-Adults-With-Hearing-Loss/?utm_source=asha&utm_medium=enewsletter&utm_campaign=0512aa

AMCHP Budget Sequestration

The
Association for Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) has created
 a fact sheet about budget sequestration and the impact this will have
on the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant and other
MCH funding. Click
here
for a copy. This fact sheet covers a series of
questions and answers detailing what sequestration means, the expected
percentage cut set to take place Jan. 2, 2013 under current law, exempt
programs and other additional information. 

Link: http://www.amchp.org/Policy-Advocacy/health-reform/resources/Documents/Budget_Sequestration_Fact_Sheet_5-10-12%5B1%5D.pdf

NICHQ Highlights Infant Hearing Screening Program during Better Hearing and Speech Month

In recognition of May as Better Hearing and Speech Month, the National
Institute for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NICHQ) has developed a diagram to illustrate how infants are lost in the hearing
screening process. Every year, US hospitals test the hearing of millions
of babies, some 60,000 of whom do not pass an initial hearing test. Of
those, roughly half have no state record of receiving follow-up care or
services.

Link: http://www.nichq.org/who_we_are/in_the_news.html?id=%2077

Are Hearing Aid Reviews Reliable?

How do you find the best hearing aid for you? Consult your ear professional! One question we often receive here at Healthy Hearing is, “Where can I
find reliable hearing aid reviews?” The answer to this question isn’t
easy. Because hearing aids are electronic devices, many people expect to
be able to review their various features and select the best one – much
like researching a television or cell phone purchase. To learn more about the reliability of hearing aid reviews, read more.

Link: http://www.healthyhearing.com/content/faqs/Buying/Reviews/50223-Are-hearing-aid-reviews-reliable

Hear the World and Special Olympics join forces with US Olympian, former Congressman Jim Ryun

Former US Olympian Jim Ryun set the record for the mile as a high school
junior, competed in three US Olympics and held a seat in Congress from
1996-2007. Now he’s partnered with Hear the World and Special Olympics
to set another record: the overall number of people in the US who take
care of their hearing health.

Link: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/16/4493930/hear-the-world-and-special-olympics.html#storylink=cpy

Gene Therapy for Hearing Loss, Potential and Limitations

Regenerating sensory hair cells could form the basis for treating age-
or trauma-related hearing loss. One way to do this could be with gene
therapy that drives new sensory hair cells to grow. Researchers have
shown that introducing a gene called Atoh1 into the cochleae of young mice can induce the formation of extra sensory hair cells.

Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120511122322.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fhealth_medicine%2Fhearing_loss+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Health+%26+Medicine+News+--+Hearing+Loss%29

Parents of deaf baby inspire others with their story

Being told their beautiful baby is deaf plunged Paul and Ruth Neesham
into a frightening world. In Deaf Awareness Week, this Sunderland couple
are doing their utmost to inspire others. They struggled to take in the
crippling news that hit them like a
sledgehammer. It was heartbreaking and Ruth recalls how hearing a song
or a piece of music and she would break down at the thought that Jack
would never hear such beautiful sounds. Read more about what these
parents are doing to inspire others.

Link: http://www.sunderlandecho.com/lifestyle/parents-of-deaf-baby-inspire-others-with-their-story-1-4532643