Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in partnership with Brazil’s Federal University of Rio Grande Do Norte, won the Mobile Health University Challenge with software that screens for hearing impairment.

With an estimated 588 million people worldwide and 5.7 million Brazilians afflicted by some level of hearing loss, the technology – dubbed the Sana AudioPulse – aims to make testing easier for hearing-impaired populations in rural and poverty-stricken areas that may not have access to medical care. Laws in Brazil mandate that newborns be screened for hearing loss; however, the implementation process has been stymied by funding limitations and shortages of staff and proper equipment. This AudioPulse technology could help overcome these obstacles.

Link: http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/hearing-loss-technology-wins-global-mhealth-competition

Cochlear implants have the greatest effect when introduced at the
same time and at an early stage. This is shown in a study of children
with prelingual hearing loss.

Link: http://www.hear-it.org/Early-implants-give-the-best-results

Register and take this CME Course for Credit: Childhood Hearing: A Sound Foundation in the Medical Home: designed for practicing pediatricians and other health professionals
who see infants and children. This module focuses on the early
identification of hearing loss, and promotes the integration of
developmental screening and public health screening into the medical
home.

Link: http://pedialink.aap.org/visitor/cme/cme-detail?guid=3a3ea997-77e5-4a1b-83d0-bf7441b0aed8&nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today
announced $4.9 million in Affordable Care Act funding to support
Family-to-Family Health Information Centers, primarily non-profit
organizations run by and for families with children with special health
care needs. These centers are staffed by trained family leaders who have children with
special health care needs, and expertise in navigating federal, state
and local public and private health care systems. HHS’ Health Resources
and Services Administration (HRSA) oversees the centers. Information on the Affordable Care Act can be found at www.HealthCare.gov.

Link: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/05/20120523a.html

MIDDLE-ear infections are quite common in young children. And if they’re left unchecked, they can lead to speech and language development delays, warns audiologist Heidi Limareff. Ms Limareff, who is general manager and principal audiologist of
not-for-profit audiology clinic Can Do Hearing, says parents can request
a test if they think their child’s hearing is affected by ongoing
middle-ear infections. Ms Limareff says it is not uncommon to see children with speech and
language development delay because of a history of multiple ear
infections.

Link: http://southern-times-messenger.whereilive.com.au/lifestyle/story/parenting-listening-for-problems/

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

Moms are awesome. Need proof? Meet Tanna. Her son, Hunter, has severe
hearing loss and received cochlear implants to help him hear. Dealing
with the effects of Hunter’s severe hearing loss has meant at least
biweekly trips back and forth to
Nashville from their home two hours away so he can get the therapy he
needs. And she doesn’t get to just sit in the waiting room and read a
magazine…she’s right there working with the therapist so she can help
him at home as well. Check out what they’re doing in this video by following the link. 

Link: http://thestir.cafemom.com/big_kid/137665/life_with_a_child_with

Katie
Beckett died Friday morning in the same hospital where she’d once made
history. Beckett was 3 years old when her case changed health care law.
She was 34 when she died. NPR’s Joseph Shapiro explains why she was
important to other children with
disabilities. All of us are devastated but will continue to be inspired
by her courage and the tremendous impact she had on behalf of all
children and youth with special healthcare needs and their families. A
beautiful tribute to Katie, aired on National Public Radio last week is
available following this link.

Link: http://www.npr.org/2012/05/19/153076971/katie-beckett-leaves-legacy-for-kids-with-disabilities

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

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