Spring 2003Contents
page 1
NIDCD Working Group: Better Communication Needed to Reduce Infants ‘Lost to Follow-Up’
page 2
Why Johnny Is Sick:
Researcher Strengthens Health, Literacy Link
page 3
Information Exchange
page 4
WISE EARS!® Update
page 5
New Resources
page 6
Research Report
page 7
EBookmarks
|
|
New Resources
NIDCD's 2003 Information Resources Directory
NIDCD's 2003 Information Resources Directory currently features more than 90 organizations committed to health issues relating to hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language. It also includes a special section featuring organizations and resources within the federal government. Along with up-to-date contact and leadership information, short descriptions that explain the scope and mission of each organization are provided. To order a free copy of the newly revised directory, contact the NIDCD Clearinghouse. A searchable, online version is available at www.nidcd.nih.gov.
Users Help NIDCD Redesign Web Site
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) announces the launching of a new, more user-friendly design of its Web site, located at www.nidcd.nih.gov. Consumers, researchers, and healthcare professionals who visit the site will find it easier than ever to access information about disorders of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language.
"This new site reflects my conviction that the Internet has become a principal communicator of information from NIDCD," said James F. Battey, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., and director of the NIDCD. "It is important that we have an effective Web site that contains credible information about human communication disorders."
To improve the usability of the site, NIDCD recruited representative Web-site users to test the old version of the site and a prototype of the new one, incorporating user suggestions into the new design. New features include a subscription service that provides e-mail notification about new research findings and new issues of the NIDCD's biannual newsletter, Inside, and a quick way for users to provide feedback about the site.
The NIDCD site was established in 1996 and underwent its first reorganization three years later. The new design represents the first update to be based on the needs of Web audiences rather than on the institute's organizational structure.
New Health Publications
NIDCD is constantly creating, updating, and revising its catalog of publications. What follows is a summary of some of our most recent titles. As always, all publications are free of charge and reproducible. Visit our Web site to view our materials, download them at your leisure, and link to other resources for information on the topics you care about. If you'd like to order publications for your home or office, call us toll-free at (800) 241-1044 or visit the Web site at www.nidcd.nih.gov.
Balance, Dizziness, and You
Balance disorders affect millions of Americans. This fact sheet explains what a balance disorder is, and describes how balance disorders may be associated with other health problems, such as falls, disability, and death for older Americans. Readers learn how to recognize balance problems, and gain insight into why they occur, what treatments can help relieve discomfort, and resources they can tap for more information. A fill-in-the-blank form is included to help patients assist their doctors in making a diagnosis.
Taking Care of Your Voice
Teachers, doctors, lawyers, nurses, salespeople, singers, and anyone else who makes great demands on the voice: this publication is for you. More than seven million people have diseases or disorders of the voice. This fact sheet describes the causes of voice disorders, offers questions that help readers gauge the health of their voice, lists numerous techniques people can use to protect the voice, and provides an overview of current research underway on the human voice.
What is Voice? What is Speech? What is Language?
Voice, speech, and language are closely related topics, but the distinctions among them are significant. This fact sheet spells out what the differences are, and provides resources for obtaining more information on all three topics.
More Spanish-Language Publications Coming Soon on the Web!
In addition to the 12 Spanish-language fact sheets already available, we are translating 16 more topics. Some of these titles include: Speech and Language: Developmental Milestones, Has Your Baby's Hearing Been Screened?, and Communication in Autism, to name a few. Be sure to logon to our Web site regularly to look for new topics.
Top |