2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
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How EHDI service providers can facilitate the best outcomes in young children who are deaf/hard of hearing across the continuum of hearing technologies
Early identification of hearing loss and early intervention services form a family’s first experience with an infant or young child who is deaf/hard of hearing. Service providers in the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) system not only need to provide accurate and timely diagnosis of hearing loss, but also maintain open communication with families about the continuum of hearing healthcare. Early conversations about hearing technology may begin with hearing aids, but parents also should understand that cochlear implants may become a viable option to afford their child adequate and appropriate access to speech. The decision to consider candidacy for cochlear implantation relies not only on audiologic and medical criteria, but also a child’s skill progression and quality of life with appropriately fit hearing aids. EHDI service providers should understand the current recommendations for pediatric cochlear implantation based on the pillars of evidence-based practice: Research evidence, clinician’s expertise, and client’s preferences and goals.
This session will use an interactive format to pose a question to the audience, query their responses, then use evidence-based research and best clinical practices to guide learning. Topics will explore key topics that parents grapple with when considering cochlear implantation for their child, including but not limited to (a) candidacy determination for children younger than 6 months of age; (b) surgical risks for children younger than 9 months of age; and (c) the relevance of implantation age for speech, language, hearing, and psychosocial outcomes.
A team of professionals must monitor consistently the progress of a child who is deaf/hard of hearing to ensure they make month-over-month progress in communication realms. Engaging EHDI service providers in the quest for a continuum of hearing technology rather than viewing cochlear implants as a last resort will ease the transition of families from hearing aids to cochlear implants. In turn, this will allow children who are deaf/hard of hearing to maintain acquisition of speech, language, and hearing skills and foster development of positive mental and social well-being.
- 1. Describe the parent journey in learning about and pursuing hearing technology for a child who is born deaf or hard of hearing or develops hearing loss in the first two years of life.
- 2. Share data on the relevance of cochlear implant age in a child born deaf on speech, language, hearing outcomes, and psychosocial status.
- 3. Organize key factors in listening and spoken language learning that impact on outcomes with hearing technology and how to demonstrate their importance to parents in a manner that facilitates practical application.
Presentation:
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Presenter: Andrea Warner-Czyz
Andrea Warner-Czyz, an associate professor at The University of Texas at Dallas, focuses her research on the identification of risk and protective factors that influence communication and quality of life in children and adolescents with cochlear implants. Her current work continues to explore the intersection among social communication, speech perception, and speech and language skills to understand components that contribute to peer relationships and quality of life in pediatric cochlear implant users.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
2. Donna Sorkin is the executive director of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance, an organization whose mission is to advance access to the gift of hearing provided by cochlear implantation through research, advocacy and awareness. Prior to joining ACI Alliance, she was vice president for consumer affairs at Cochlear Americas, and also previously served as the executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America and the AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She experienced sudden hearing loss as an adult as has been hearing with a cochlear implant for 28 years.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.