Based on members’ concerns, the AAP sent a

letter to EmblemHealth
objecting to its policy to stop paying primary care physicians for
evoked otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing for patients older than 12
months provided in the physician’s office. EmblemHealth provides
health insurance in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. The AAP
letter calls for the carrier to rescind its policy immediately.
AAP members can assist the AAP and their Chapter pediatric councils in
prioritizing payer issues by reporting your payer concerns using the AAP
Hassle Factor Form online.

Link: http://www.smartbrief.com/servlet/wireless?issueid=809C0BC1-3F6F-47B1-815E-E891EE6D0877&sid=b7cff5b4-c9ec-4868-a0c7-54ea1a5bafcb

NICHCY has loads of information to help you address the challenges of a new school year. Here is a list of three of particular note to help enhance learning for children with disabilities. There are more available scattered throughout the newsletter. Supports, Modifications, and Accommodations for Students: a powerful resource for way to support children with disabilities in regular classrooms and school activities: http://nichcy.org/schoolage/accommodations. Using What Works: Connect with the “how to’s” of what really helps children with disabilities learn, such as learning strategy instruction, peer tutoring, and cooperative learning…very exciting for teachers and students alike: http://nichcy.org/schoolage/effective-practices/meta80resources. Parental Rights to Participate in Meetings: The right to participate in meetings related to their child is one of the most important and powerful of parent rights: http://nichcy.org/schoolage/parental-rights/participation.

Link: http://nichcy.org/schoolage

Need fast facts on coverage and financing of care for children and youth with special health care needs?  The Catalyst Center has
enhanced and updated its web-based state-at-a-glance data chartbook on coverage and
financing of care for children and youth with special health care needs –
including children with hearing-related needs – for each state, DC, and Puerto
Rico. 

Link: http://data.catalystctr.org

Cochlear Americas is delighted to announce that the popular HOPE workshop “Children with
Cochlear Implants: The Words and the Music” is coming to Wisconsin on
September 20. This educational seminar is intended for professionals working
with young children with hearing loss as well as parents of young children with
hearing loss. CEUs from AG Bell, ASHA and AAA will be provided.

This
workshop explores relationships: between music and auditory skill development,
between vocabulary and language comprehension, and between language
comprehension skills and literacy. Strategies for building vocabulary,
facilitating book sharing, and enhancing read-aloud activities will be
discussed and supported through video and interactive exchange. The importance
of music as part of the auditory skill development of young children with
cochlear implants will be explored. Strategies for incorporating music in a
child’s therapy and educational programs will be suggested.

This
workshop will also be given in San Diego (January 25, 2012) and Washington DC
(March 13, 2012).

For
more information, please visit the HOPE website at www.CochlearAmericas.com/HOPE.

Link: http://hope.cochlearamericas.com/

HOPE has announced their first online seminar for the 2011-12 school year, which is appropriate for professionals and parents that are interested. This first course, “Fostering Self-Advocacy in Elementary-Aged Students with Hearing Loss,” will introduce adaptation of the instructional concepts of coaching and gradual release of responsibility involving the student, the family, and school personnel; specific examples will be provided to optimize the participants understanding of these concepts. Sign up is via the Hope area of the Cochlear Americas website at

www.CochlearAmericas.com/HOPE.  

Link: http://hope.cochlearamericas.com/calendar/fostering-self-advocacy-elementary-aged-students-hearing-loss

The September edition of the ECHO Initiative’s Probes and Tips newsletter is
now available and features some tools for serving children who have been identified with hearing loss.

Link: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs073/1102782899287/archive/1107295312780.html

New research has revealed that a decline in hearing ability may accelerate gray matter atrophy in auditory areas of the brain. The studies also found that people with hearing loss showed less brain
activity on functional MRI scans when listening to complex sentences,
along with less gray matter in the auditory cortex. Although the research was conducted among older adults, the findings
also have implications for younger adults, including those concerned
about listening to music at loud volumes.

Link: http://news.bioscholar.com/2011/08/minor-hearing-loss-may-accelerate-gray-matter-atrophy-in-the-brain.html

The advances in technology that assist those with hearing loss are remarkable. Aside from hearing aids, the amount and variety of assisted
hearing devices has progressed in recent years. Technology from
hearing assistance companies (like Oticon’s ConnectLine system & ReSound Unite series) wirelessly connect people with hearing
loss to their TV, personal computers, cell phones, MP3 players, and even other people without taking out their hearing aids. Such technological advances help make life easier for those with hearing loss problems.

Link: http://www.nwitimes.com/niche/get-healthy/health-care/article_17a0683e-1e32-5380-999a-d05856606a70.html