Q: What is an audiologist?
An audiologist is a professional who diagnoses,
treats, and manages individuals with hearing loss or balance problems.
For more information, please see
http://www.audiology.org/about/commonq.php and
http://www.asha.org/students/professions/overview/
faq_careers.htm
[Return to FAQs]
Q: What is an Otolaryngologist?
Otolaryngologists are physicians trained in the
medical and surgical management and treatment of patients with diseases
and disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and related structures of
the head and neck. They are commonly referred to as ENT physicians. For
more information, please see
http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/about/otolaryngologist.cfm
[Return to FAQs]
Q: How can I find an
audiologist and/or an otolaryngologist?
How to locate a provider:
To locate an audiologist, visit the American Academy of Audiology
website at http://www.audiology.org.
On this site you will then enter information about the area where you
live.
To find an otolaryngologist, you may visit The American Academy of
Otolaryngology website at
http://www.entnet.org/ent_otolaryngologist.cfm and search by entering
a doctor’s name or a specific geographic location.
To find an Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Program, visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
website at http://www.asha.org/proserv/. On this site you will then enter
information about the area where you live.
CDC supports the National Institutes of Health,
the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing, the Directors of Speech and
Hearing Programs in State Health and Welfare Agencies and the American
Academy of Pediatrics in endorsing universal newborn hearing screening
before hospital discharge, diagnostic evaluation before 3 months of age,
and initiation of appropriate intervention services before 6 months of
age.
[Return to FAQs]
Q: What are the
intervention and treatment options?
Professionals are responsible for providing families
with information about the full range of intervention and treatment
options so that informed choices can be made. The "best" choice for each
family is complex and dynamic. It may involve simultaneous (at the same
time) use of several options with modifications (changes) over time as
knowledge about intervention increases, the child grows and develops, and
changes occur in the family system.
CDC supports the National Institutes of Health, the
Joint Committee on Infant Hearing, and the American Academy of Pediatrics
in endorsing universal newborn hearing screening before hospital
discharge, diagnostic evaluation before 3 months of age, and initiation
of appropriate intervention services before 6 months of age.
[Return to FAQs]
Q: Is age a factor when
determining what programs are available for hearing loss intervention?
All states provide early intervention services to the
birth-to-3 population, under the (IDEA) Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act, Part C (Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities). However,
states vary in how they determine eligibility for services. Part C is the
state program usually responsible for providing early intervention
services to children with conditions such as hearing loss. Additional
information, as well as contact information, can be found by visiting the
following links:
(http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/ehdi/documents/
stateHL_contacts.pdf
for a list of the State Contacts for Children Identified with Hearing
Loss)
(http://www.nectac.org for a more
detailed description of Part C)
(http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/testing
contains information regarding age and hearing loss)
[Return to FAQs]
Q: What other
organizations provide intervention and family support services across
America?
For a list of organizations, please see the CDC EHDI
related links page
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/ehdi/links.htm
[Return to FAQs]
Q: Where can I find
information about treatment or therapy for my child’s hearing loss?
Many deaf and hard of hearing children grow up to be
successful and happy adults. The most important aspect of your child’s
development is to focus on his/her ability to communicate (language
and/or speech). Because children learn speech and language best when
they are very young, it is important to begin intervention as soon as
possible. If your child is an infant, we suggest contacting professionals
who specialize in “early intervention.” Early intervention is a service
that helps children with hearing loss develop communication skills, to
the best of their ability, starting at a very young age. You can find
information about early intervention programs can be found in your area
through an audiologist, speech-language pathologist, or a local school
for the deaf. If your child is of preschool or school age (3 years of age
or older), we suggest you contact your local school for the deaf and/or
an audiologist or speech-language pathologist. Audiologists and
speech-language pathologists can be found through hospitals,
universities, and clinics.
These professionals will help you to find information
about service options in your area. There are many types of services
available. Some services focus on speech or on sign language. Some focus
equally on both. You can choose one type of service or a combination can
be chosen. It is important to inform yourself of all the possible
services available in your area and come to the decision that is most
comfortable for you and your family. If you later feel your child would
benefit more from another type of service, you can try another option.
Discuss other options with your health care provider.
Two important groups to use as resources when you
decide on the appropriate communication program for your child, and your
family, are parents of deaf and hard of hearing children as well as deaf
and hard of hearing adults. You can get information on how to contact
people in these groups through your local school for the deaf or through
an audiologist or speech-language pathologist.
For further information, see the following sites:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/ehdi/links.htm
http://www.deafchildren.org/home/home.html
http://www.gohear.org
http://www.babyhearing.org/
http://www.handsandvoices.org
http://www.listen-up.org
http://infanthearing.org/familysupport/index.html
http://www.agbell.org/
http://www.ceasd.org/members.php
[Return to FAQs]
Q: What are Cochlear
Implants? How do they work? How are they different from hearing aids? Are
there other, more advanced alternatives?
For information regarding this topic, please visit
the following links:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/ehdi/research.htm
http://www.babyhearing.org/hearingamplification/
cochlear/index.asp
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/ehdi/cochlear/default.htm
[Return to FAQs]
Sorry, we can't give you medical advice. Please talk
with your doctor for questions about yourself or your family. For other
information, please contact ehdi@cdc.gov
[Return
to Top]
Date: September 1, 2006
Content source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities