New Web Class Learning Opportunity for Hearing Screening!

Link: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/September-Probes---Tips---New-Web-Class-Learning-Opportunity-for-Hearing-Screening-.html?soid=1102782899287&aid=SM8yUUnoGFY

Tuesday, September 20 at 1:00 p.m. (EDT)

Newborn screening began in the United States in the 1960s to test for medical conditions that may not be apparent just by looking at a baby. Finding these conditions soon after birth can help prevent certain serious problems, such as brain damage, organ damage, and even death. The traditional method of newborn screening is bloodspot testing, wherein blood is sent to a lab to be screened for a number of conditions. There is also a newer paradigm of point-of-care newborn screening to test for hearing loss and critical congenital heart defects, conditions that are not identifiable through blood tests.

Both traditional bloodspot screening and the newer point-of-care screening tests share the goals of making sure that newborns are tested for certain potentially life-threatening conditions, and ensuring that providers follow up based on test results. The newer tests, however, do pose some unique challenges for public health. Because these tests take place in the health care setting rather than in a lab, it is difficult to standardize both the implementation of the tests and reporting of the test results. Newborn screening is also mandated by each individual state, so tests required in some states may not be in others.

In this session of Public Health Grand Rounds, you will hear how some states have implemented point-of-care newborn screening and what challenges they have faced in standardizing these tests and tracking test results. Speakers will also discuss how public health partners at all levels can work toward ensuring that every baby is screened.

Link: https://www.cdc.gov/cdcgrandrounds/archives/2016/september2016.htm

Newborn genetic screening for hearing impairment: a population-based longitudinal study 

A recent paper published in Genetics in Medicine highlights the importance of genetic screening in newborns for hearing impairment. Dr. Chuan Jen Hsu and his team performed screening for mutations involved in deafness and correlated the results to long-term hearing loss.

Link: https://biotechin.asia/2016/09/10/newborn-genetic-screening-for-hearing-impairment/

Link: http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=99cbcf14eb23ec525d978c58c&id=23a456c860&e=64a15f0a58

The Mentoring Needs Assessment: What Families with Young Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing want from a D/HH Adult Mentor or Role Model Program webinar recording is now available.

Link: http://www.infanthearing.org/flashplayer/hd_videos.htm?file=http://www.infanthearing.org/flashvideos/webinars/Lifetrack-Webinar.mp4

A simulation of what speech sounds like when recorded first through a hearing aid, and then through a personal FM system linked to the hearng aid. The demonstration takes place in an empty classroom while the presenter walks toward and away from the “listener” and while competing voices are played in background.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l37lzLIgQU

Any infant exposed to the Zika virus in utero should have their hearing tested after birth, no matter how normal they may appear, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced.

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/30/health/zika-infant-hearing-loss/

Link: http://wcc.on24.com/eventManager/presentation/html.jsp?profiletype=customHTML1&key=391C018E1FA190EF6352D7FD8E6FCCC7&eventid=1244563&sessionid=1&mode=preview

A study in Brazil of 70 babies whose mothers had confirmed Zika infections found that nearly 6 percent had hearing loss, adding a new complication to the list of ills the virus can cause when women are infected during pregnancy.

Link: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/08/30/zika-causes-deafness-in-about-6-percent-cases-study-finds.html

As the new school year kicks off, here are some important misconceptions that you can share with educators – and others.

Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/janice-s-lintz/10-misconceptions-teacher_b_11360592.html