Gesture-sign mismatches made while explaining a math problem suggest a
deaf child is experiencing a teachable moment, a finding that could help
their instructors become better teachers. Through a series of experiments with 40 deaf children, ages nine through
12, all of whom were fluent in American Sign Language, researchers were
able to distinguish between ASL signs and gestures that look like the
gestures hearing children produce when explaining the same math
problems. In previous work, it has been shown that gesture-speech mismatch is a clue to teachable moments in hearing children. This is a great read and a very interesting article for teachers of the deaf that in particular focus on ASL.

Link: http://www.futurity.org/society-culture/deaf-kids-learn-from-gesture-sign-misses/

If there were a poster child for cochlear implants,
Grant Phillips would be it. When Phillips was born, he was completely
deaf. After exploring several options, his parents heard about a new
procedure that had been shown to restore hearing loss at a very
successful rate. The first surgeries and FDA studies for cochlear implants,
a device that aid hearing by stimulating the cochlea in the inner ear,
were taking place right in their hometown of Indianapolis at Riley
Hospital. The problem was that the FDA had only approved the surgery for
children more than two years old. After consulting with the lead
doctor, Dr. Richard Miyamoto, the Philips’ and hospital agreed to perform
surgery on Grant when he was just 16 months old. The surgery was a success. After the recovery process, Grant began to hear and, soon after, speak.

Link: http://stateimpact.npr.org/indiana/2012/04/02/deaf-student-uses-cochlear-implants-to-hear-learn/

The early bird registration deadline for the
AG Bell 2012 Convention is fast approaching. Register by April 9 and save up to $50 per registration. Families, adults with hearing loss and professionals
will get additional registration benefits in 2012 including: (1) up to 23.5 CEU credits with registration at no extra cost for professionals, also (2) families of children with hearing loss or adults living with hearing loss can receive up to two badges with each registration which allows you to bring an additional family member to the convention: a two-for-one deal. Click here to start the online application.

Link: http://registration3.experient-inc.com/showAGB121/Default.aspx?HTTPSProxyDetectIteration=2&HTTPSProxyDetectStamp=634690581133453122

HearingLikeMe is a new site on the web that aims to build a community
around those touched by hearing loss. This includes deaf and hard of
hearing individuals, professionals, and parents of deaf and hard of
hearing children. It’s a great way to use technology to bridge connections.

Link: http://triblocal.com/bolingbrook/community/stories/2012/04/hearinglikeme-a-new-hearing-loss-site/

Where’s the one place you should never kiss a baby — or anyone else?
The ear, according to a professor of audiology at Hofstra University in
Hempstead, N.Y. An innocent kiss right on the ear opening creates strong suction that
tugs on the delicate eardrum, resulting in a recently recognized
condition known as “cochlear ear-kiss injury.” Such a kiss can lead not
only to permanent hearing loss, but a host of other troubling ear
symptoms including ringing, sensitivity to sound, distortion and aural
fullness.

Link: http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/29/10906327-innocent-kiss-of-deaf-can-cause-permanent-hearing-loss

In sparsely-populated rural areas, where healthcare is hard to come by, technology has proven to be a major help. For hearing issues alone, anywhere between 20 and 40 percent of children
who don’t pass newborn hearing screenings don’t get the follow-up care
that they need. That can lead to developmental problems down the line as the child grows up without fully functioning hearing. The telemedicine program helps to cut that number down, if only by a few
patients at a time.  They currently serve seven patients through remote
videoconferencing. Read more to learn about how technology is helping to reach children detected with hearing loss in rural areas.

Link: http://sfbay.ca/2012/03/28/virtual-medicine-helps-rural-kids-hear/

Babies with totally impaired hearing have a good chance of speaking
and attending a normal school if their hearing loss is diagnosed early. However, Hospital Kuala Lumpur ear, nose and throat surgeon Dr
Iskandar Hailani said studies showed that on average, Malaysian parents
bring in their children for diagnosis at 3.7 years.

Link: http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Malaysia/Story/A1Story20120312-332858.html

A CWMBRAN hearing centre is launching a hearing aid recycling campaign to
help improve the lives of children with hearing loss in developing
countries.
Sound Seekers works to improve the lives of deaf children and children
suffering from ear disease in the developing countries of the
Commonwealth by providing specialist equipment, training and
support.

Link: http://www.freepressseries.co.uk/news/9617011.Cwmbran_shop_launches_hearing_aid_recycling_scheme/

Experts say it is one of the best language tools for young deaf children and a nationally recognized psychologist came to teach the
benefits of sign language. Sattler, who lives in the greater Washington D.C. area is the creator of ‘Baby, Toddler, and Preschool Sign Language’ and ‘Sign Language for Emergency Situations’ DVDs to help teach parents and teachers to communicate through signing.

Link: http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/206782/48/Sign-language-gives-young-children-a-voice

Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120112142243.htm