Whether it is an emergency room triage nurse, a social worker making recommendations on a child’s welfare, or a community health worker trying desperately to help someone get the support that they need, our unconscious perceptions matter.

Link: http://altarum.org/health-policy-blog/implicit-bias-and-why-it-matters

With research showing language gaps between the children of affluent parents and those from low-income families emerging at an early age, educators have puzzled over how best to reach parents and guide them to do things like read to their children and talk to them regularly.

Read more of the article at the link below.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/15/us/to-help-language-skills-of-children-a-study-finds-text-their-parents-with-tips.html?ref=education&_r=1

Life has gotten better for children with hearing loss, which is being detected at much younger ages. Technology, particularly cochlear implants, has opened easier access for many to spoken language; educational changes have provided more schooling options. Despite these advances, however, there are still reports from around the world that deaf children exhibit more behavior problems than their hearing peers. 

Link: http://raisingandeducatingdeafchildren.org/behavioral-issues-and-hearing-loss-its-far-reaching-impact

Learn more about the addition of trainers who will help to expand ECHO successes.

Have you registered for the upcoming webinar “Is Your EHDI Website As Effective As It Could Be?” It is this Thursday, 11/13 and you still have time to register.

Link: http://www.infanthearing.org/resources_home/events/website-improvement-webinar.html

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its final rule on Friday (October 31) announcing that it will maintain Medicare coverage for auditory osseointegrated implants (AOIs), reversing its earlier proposal to have AOIs classified as hearing aids thereby eliminating coverage for them.  Importantly, CMS noted:

“This rule codifies the Medicare policy guidance when a device is not subject to the hearing aid exclusion. The rule finalizes that certain auditory implants, including cochlear implants, brain stem implants, and osseointegrated implants, do not meet the definition of hearing aids that are excluded from coverage.”

Link: http://www.hearingreview.com/2014/11/cms-will-maintain-coverage-bone-anchored-certain-auditory-implants/

According to the recently released 2014 Infant Toddler Finance Survey, conducted by the Infant and Toddlers Coordinators Association (ITCA), the financing of Part C systems remains the most critical issue facing all states and territories.  The complete states’ survey, including revenue sources, allocations, and emerging issues may be found at the link below.   

Link: http://ideainfanttoddler.org/pdf/2014-ITCA-Finance-Survey.pdf

The Infants, Toddlers and their Families Interdisciplinary Certificate Program at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC is now accepting applications for their new cohort that will begin in May 2015. The first course begins with a 3-day on campus introduction and orientation to the program May 16, 17 and 18. Applications should be submitted by February 2, 2015 to guarantee a place in the program. Students may obtain either graduate credits or professional studies training credits.

Link: http://www.gallaudet.edu/academic_catalog/graduate_education/depts_and_programs/grad_prof_studies/certificate_infants_toddlers_and_families_collaboration_and_leadership.html

Read about five technological advances that are changing the lives of people who are deaf.

Link: http://limpingchicken.com/2014/10/29/technology-deaf/

More than 10 percent of babies born with an infection called Cytomegalovirus will suffer permanent hearing loss, a new study reports.

Link: http://www.health24.com/Medical/Hearing-management/Hearing-in-children/10-of-kids-with-Cytomegalovirus-may-end-up-deaf-20141028