GAO Releases Report on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children

On Wed. May 25th, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report on deaf and hard of hearing children.  The report, titled “Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children: Federal Support for Developing Language and Literacy,” was completed “to better understand how federal programs support deaf and hard of
hearing children.”

“The GAO was asked to examine the: (1) extent of hearing
loss among children, (2) settings in which these children are educated,
(3) factors that help deaf and hard of hearing children acquire language
and literacy skills, and (4) challenges to providing appropriate
interventions for these children. GAO analyzed data on hearing loss;
reviewed research literature; interviewed educators, national
organizations, parents, and state and federal officials; and examined
relevant federal laws and regulations. A draft of this report was
provided to the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services
for review and comment. Each provided technical comments, which were
incorporated into the report, as appropriate. GAO makes no
recommendations in this report.”

Link: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-357?source=ra

What's Your Baby's Hearing Screening Result?

As part of Better Hearing and
Speech Month, “Baby Hearing” is a current feature on the CDC.gov public
homepage: www.cdc.gov.  Find out more from CDC on Newborn Hearing Screenings, why they are important, and where you can go for help!

The direct link to the feature is www.cdc.gov/Features/NewbornHearing

The Spanish version is also
available www.cdc.gov/spanish/especialesCDC/BebesAudicion

Link: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/NewbornHearing/

Funding Opportunity from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) announces a new funding opportunity for research on hearing health care.

Letter of Intent Deadline: September 30, 2011
Number of Awards: 2 
Award Ceiling: $250,000

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) issued by NIDCD invites
Exploratory/Developmental Phased Innovation (R21/R33) grant applications to
support research and/or infrastructure needs leading to more accessible and
affordable hearing health care (HHC).

Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DC-12-003.html

NowiHear.com Launches Android App for Consumers to Test Hearing Loss and Locate a Licensed Audiologist

NowiHear.com recently released a new app on the Android Market that provides
consumers with a quick 5-minute hearing test and helps them find local
audiologists.  The NowiHear app also provides users with a description of audiology and
why licensed audiologists are best equipped to handle individual
hearing
health needs.  

Link: http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2011/05/17/nowihearcom-launches-android-app-consumers-test-hearing-loss-and-locate-licensed-audiolog

HHS awards $4.9 million to support families of children with special health care needs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services made an
announcement this morning for $4.9 million in new and continuing grants to
support the Family-to-Family Health Information Centers. Get the details here
to see the programs that have been awarded funding and how this will impact
family support centers across the nation!

Link: http://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/pressreleases/110517familytofamily.html

The CARE Project

The CARE Project is a flexible set of tools used in
counseling families/parents with children who are deaf or hard of hearing on
their emotional journey once hearing issues are identified.  These tools have also been quite useful in
sensitivity training for professionals, para-professionals and
pre-professionals on the topic of grief/emotions and the family journey towards
resilience.  For more information,
contact Johnnie Sexton, Au.D., at johnnie.sexton@thecareproject.me
or visit the website at www.thecareproject.me
to read about the program and its progress.

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-CARE-Project/169109337023

Link: http://www.thecareproject.me/TheCareProject/Welcome.html