From the Journal of Educational Audiology vol. 19, 2013 – Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) are sensitive to both sensorineural and conductive hearing losses and have the potential to be used as an effective screening measure across all populations, including children. DPOAE offer a quick and straightforward hearing screening technique for the pediatric population that is not influenced by subjective testing and is highly reproducible. In this study, the mean test times and pass/fail rates from 198 preschool participants were compared between two DPOAE screening protocols (1-5 kHz and 2-5 kHz) and a pure-tone screening protocol (1, 2 and 4 kHz). Significantly less time was needed to conduct the DPOAE screenings compared to the pure-tone screenings. Results suggested similar pass/fail rates for both DPOAE protocols compared to pure-tone screenings. Without diagnostic audiologic test results, the sensitivity and specificity of the screening protocols could not be determined. Until the true sensitivity and specificity of DPOAE and pure-tone screening protocols can be determined, it is recommended that clinicians consider adding DPOAE to their current screening protocol, or at least having DPOAE available to screen children who cannot or will not participate in pure-tone screenings.
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Link: http://www.infanthearing.org/news/news/1043/Preschool-Hearing-Screenings-A-Comparison-of-Distortion-Product-Otoacoustic-Emission-and-Pure-Tone-Protocols
Missouri School for the Deaf Students Dive into Movie, Animation Techniques with Literacy Event
Missouri School for the Deaf students guided fellow students through hands-on animation and video activities Thursday during the school’s “Reading is Fundamental” (RIF) event.
Link: http://www.fultonsun.com/news/2014/mar/21/missouri-school-deaf-students-dive-movie-animation/
Webinar Presented by Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center set for May 1st
On May 1, 2014, the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center of Gallaudet University will present “What the Eyes Reveal about the Brain: Advances in Human Language Acquisition—Insights from Visual Language and Visual Learning (VL2) and the Brain and Language Laboratory (BL2)” with Dr Laura-Ann Petitto as faculty. This pre-recorded Webcast will air from 2:00 – 3:00 pm EST and will be followed by a live question and answer session. Click on the link below to register for this free event.
This unique format will introduce important research on the impact on brain structure and function. You will learn what BL2 research shows about the bilingual brain, early language acquisition, and the implications for deaf and hard of hearing children.
Laura-Ann Petitto, PhD is the science director and co-principal investigator of the National Science Foundation and Gallaudet University’s Science of Learning Center, VL2. For more information about Dr Petitto’s research, see her web page at http://petitto.gallaudet.edu.
As the Q&A will take place in a live session, you and your colleagues will want to be sure to add this Webcast to your calendars right away. If you participate, we are interested in hearing your feedback and insights!
Link: http://www.123contactform.com/form-816710/Petitto-Webinar-2014
Sean Forbes sees himself as more than just a 'deaf rapper'
Though he lost his hearing as a baby, Sean Forbes has known from an early age the impact music can have on people and the emotions it can convey. The Detroit-area resident grew up in a musical family (his uncle was an engineer for Bob Seger) that still made music accessible to him, lip-syncing songs for him.
Link: http://triblive.com/aande/music/5631519-74/deaf-music-forbes#axzz2wMy0MqeE
Smartphone apps link with hearing aids to improve hearing, connect with technology
New smartphone apps that link to hearing aids are helping people with impaired hearing to pump up the volume on their devices or to use them as headphones to stream phone calls, YouTube videos and music.
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/03/10/smartphone-apps-link-with-hearing-aids-to-improve-hearing-connect-with/
Why Does a Baby Need “Speech” Therapy? The Importance of Early Intervention
Most people can understand audiology appointments for a child with hearing loss, and maybe some general “developmental therapy” checkups to make sure the baby is globally on track. But speech? Why?
Link: http://cochlearimplantonline.com/site/why-does-a-baby-need-speech-therapy-the-importance-of-early-intervention/
AMCHP Releases National Standards for Improving Quality Systems of Care for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP), with support from the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, announces the release of a groundbreaking set of standards and companion background white paper designed to help communities, states, and the nation build and improve systems of care for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) – which includes children who are deaf or hard of hearing. View a press release as well as these standards by going to
Link: http://www.amchp.org/programsandtopics/CYSHCN/Pages/default.aspx
ASHA has Launched a New Campaign to Raise Awareness of the Early Signs of Communication Disorders
If this baby could talk, he would say that he’s almost two and still not responding to his parents. Find out how to identify the signs of a communication disorder at
Link: http://identifythesigns.org/
Noise from Infant Sleep Machines Can be Harmful
Rather than soothing baby and parents alike, infant sleep machines could actually pose a risk to hearing and auditory development, according to a Canadian study published in the journal Pediatrics.
Link: http://union-bulletin.com/news/2014/mar/07/noise-infant-sleep-machines-can-be-harmful/
NCBDDD Research Opportunities in EHDI
The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) at the CDC is pleased to announce the availability of TWO (2) EHDI FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES. The DRDC conducts research related to the priorities of the CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) through research grant sub-awards to university and other academic and professional partners that utilize medical, social and basic science, and public health approaches.