“EHDI: Partnering for Progress,” a national conference that was held in Raleigh, NC, October 26-28, brought a new approach to conference attendance by combining three previously independent meetings into one location.  This was the first time that these three meetings had combined and allowed conference goers to attend presentations at any and all of the three combined meetings that covered many various subjects tied to the same core topic of “EHDI”.  The Fifth Biennial Pediatric Audiology Symposium, the Sixth Annual Investing in Family Support Conference, and the Fourth Southeastern Regional EHDI Conference all offered a unique lineup of speakers and presentations that tied together an array of subjects concerned with Early Hearing Detection and Intervention. 

Link: http://www.infanthearing.org/ncham_news/docs/partnering_progress_symposium.pdf

Following a 21-year hiatus, The Silent Network, a television network aimed at deaf and hard of hearing viewers, launched as a Broadband Network on the Internet on Tuesday, November 1, 2011.  The network began in 1979 as a cable network with a slate of original programs presented in sign language, subtitles and full sound that ultimately was seen in more than 17 million households.  Featured on the new Broadband Network will be the entertaining children’s series “Happy Hands Kid’s Klub” with comedian-mime CJ Jones, and “Grandma’s House” with Fran Ripplinger. Other programs will include a talk show and a
variety-entertainment series.

The Silent Network can be seen at: www.thesilentnetwork.tv

Link: http://www.thesilentnetwork.tv

Award winning film maker, Judy Lieff, brings us the story of Aneta Brodski who is an Israeli teenager living in Queens, New York.  Aneta is also deaf.  The story chronicles Aneta’s desire to connect with the world and how she accomplishes her dreams of self-expression by putting her words and signs into performing a very raw form of poetry.  See how she collaborates with hearing and non-hearing alike to give the world some perspective on what it means to be Aneta.

Link: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/deaf-jam/film.html

Venerannda Leon Guerrero held her slumbering infant in her arms in a
Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research
and Service (CEDDERS) testing center at the University of Guam as she
watched an audiologist in Colorado conduct a diagnostic test to
determine whether or not her baby has a hearing loss.

The remote test was held in October and marked the first
technology-enabled distance diagnostic testing for hearing loss on very
young infants in Guam.
This event was made possible through the Tele-audiology Project.

Link: http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18268:uog-conducts-remote-hearing-test-with-colorado-doctor&catid=45:guam-news&Itemid=156

About 85% of parents would prefer to have their newborn tested for
congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV), even if testing was not routine, and
even if their child turned out to be CMV-positive but never developed
problems, according to a new study published online November 14 in Pediatrics. The authors note that about 30,000 infants are born each year in the
United States with congenital CMV infection, and approximately 1 in 5
develop disabilities, most often sensorineural hearing loss and/or
mental retardation.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/753523

Link: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/753523

Boys Town National Research Hospital’s Center for Childhood
Deafness recently released its quarterly e-newsletter containing links for
professionals who serve children with hearing loss and for families who may
benefit from accessing their programs and care. Their mission is to reach
children and families across the country. Take a look at the various distance
education courses that address the needs of educators and parents who wish to
access the most up-to-date evidence-based approaches in education and development.

http://www.boystownhospital.org/htmlemail/Pages/CCD1.aspx

Link: http://www.boystownhospital.org/htmlemail/Pages/CCD1.aspx

The November 2011 edition of the ECHO Initiative’s Probes and Tips newsletter is
now available and features some new features on how to “Spread the Word” and help draw positive and appropriate attention to the important services that you are providing to children, while simultaneously informing others about best practices in early childhood hearing screening.

Link: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs073/1102782899287/archive/1108442926094.html

As the audiology industry reacts to the news that Minnetonka-based
health insurer UnitedHealth Group is making discounted hearing aids
available for only $749-$949 per ear to both their customers and
non-customers, NowiHear.com,
a wholly owned consumer marketing division of AuDNet, Inc. wants consumers to understand the potential dangers of this
initiative and is offering an alternative.

NowiHear.com
is not alone in their concern about UnitedHealth Group’s decision, and
joins the Minnesota
Department of Health and professional industry organizations that
have taken specific actions regarding this news such as the American
Academy of Audiology, Academy of Doctors of Audiology, and American
Speech, Language, and Hearing Association.

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nowihearcom-launches-campaign-as-antidote-to-unitedhealth-group-internet-hearing-aid-sales-initiative-2011-11-04

October/November Issue of AAP’s EHDI E-Mail Express is now
available and includes some great information on subjects such as:

     -Mild hearing
loss linked to brain atrophy in older adults; early intervention could prevent
slide toward speech comprehension difficulties
     -a new
Tele-intervention Resource Guide
     -a brief overview
of the National Association for the Deaf
     -Reducing loss to
follow-up

and more!!  Check it
out to find current news and information from the American Academy of
Pediatrics!

Link: http://www.infanthearing.org/ncham_news/docs/EHDI_Email_Express_OctNov2011.pdf

The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
announced today that they have selected Dr. Michael Lu as the new Associate
Administrator for Maternal and Child Health (MCH Bureau Director). Dr. Lu’s
starting date at MCHB is still being determined, but we would like to
congratulate Dr. Lu on being selected to this new and important position.

Picture of Dr. Lu (taken from UCLA website)

Link: