LETTER TO DIRECTOR OF AUDIOLOGY ACH (4-26-2010)

Patty,

I write you because as a parent of 3 hearing impaired speech delayed children in Arkansas, you are part of the front line in my advocacy for my children.  I am quite surprised and disappointed in the service and attention ACH has given our family.  I am absolutely shocked ACH is apparently unaware of the most recent published information on management of children with Minimal Hearing Loss.  While I know that my concern will not be of sufficient caliber to render advocacy from you on behalf of my children, I speak to you in hopes that it will help children that may follow behind us in their trek for appropriate management of hearing loss.  

This decade has been a decade of growth for the world of audiology research and I expect that growth and accumulation of knowledge will continue for years to come. Just a year ago I could not find 10% of the information on Minimal Hearing Loss that I have been able to find this year. Below I am supplying you with quotes from the most up to date publications including JCIH 2007 Position Statement and the Pediatric Amplification Protocol of 2003 from the American Academy of Audiology.  Both of which support my concern for my children in not being 'qualified' according to ACH to receive amplification.  

None of these measures were followed for my son as he was born in 2001 and they were not yet published.  However, all of them support that my son needs (and needed from birth) amplification for normal development of speech and language. I am so glad that we have found an Audiologist else where who does support us in our concern and is aware of the most recent information to know my son needs amplification.  I hope that you can be a forerunner in the efforts to help ACH get on board with the most recent recommendations.

Thank you for your attention. 

Sara Solis

Pediatric Amplification Protocol October 2003 – American Academy of Audiology

“Special consideration should be given to the fitting of amplification on children with unilateral hearing loss, minimal or mild hearing loss, profound hearing loss, and auditory neuropathy.” (pg 3)

Joint Committee on Infant Hearing – 2007 Position Statement:

“Developmental monitoring should also occur at regular 6 month intervals for special populations of children with hearing loss including those with minimal and mild bilateral hearing loss, unilateral hearing loss, and neural hearing loss, because these children are at risk of having speech and language delay.” (pg 910)

“Amplification Considerations for Children with Minimal or Bilateral Hearing Loss and Unilateral Hearing Loss.”  Gavel, McKay, Tharpe.  Trends in Amplification 2008.

“Children with minimal and mild hearing loss should be considered candidates for amplification and/or personal FM system or soundfield systems for use in school.” (pg 45) “Children with MBHL [minimal bilateral hearing loss] and UHL are at risk for academic, speech-language, and social-emotional difficulties” (pg 51)