Children can only develop spoken language through consistent exposure to the acoustic cues that comprise speech and language. Until recently, hearing levels from the clinical audiogram were the primary measure used to define typical hearing and the presence or degree of a child's hearing loss. While the clinical audiogram remains an important…

This paper summarizes recent research on functions of the cochlea of the inner ear. The cochlea is described as the seat of the first step in the auditory sound analysis and transduction of mechanical vibration into electrochemical processes leading to the generation of neural action potentials. The cochlea is also described as a frequent seat of…

Behavioral and electrophysiological processing of sequential tones were investigated in reading delayed (RD) and non-reading delayed (NRD) children matched on intelligence and reading level. NRD children performed consistently better on sequencing of tonal patterns. Middle latency event-related potentials from the RD group indicated reduced…

Directors of 100 undergraduate training programs in speech language pathology and audiology were surveyed about the readability level and faculty satisfaction with currently used textbooks. For each of seven fundamental courses, Ss were asked to indicate the academic level at which students typically completed the courses, the textbook currently…

The paper describes PAC (Psychology--Audiology Collaboration), a program which provides services and family support to the hearing impaired in a community setting. The program features a prevention component, treatment, educational and social support components, cross-discipline referrals, and interdepartmental training opportunities for graduate…

Two infant stimulation programs - for Down's Syndrome and hearing impaired children - in Montgomery County, Maryland, are described. Referral, initial assessment, development of individualized education program, and use of learning activities with the Down's infants are discussed along with intervention rationale, parent role, and child…

This paper summarizes research efforts of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and identifies research priorities. The NIDCD is responsible for research and research training related to both normal and disordered hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language. The paper notes that 59 percent of…

This paper provides guidelines for the audiologic assessment of infants and young children, highlighting recent technologic advances in auditory electrophysiology, acoustic immitance measure procedures, and behavioral audiometric techniques. First, audiologic assessment guidelines developed by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association are…

This paper addresses three areas related to amplification for infants and toddlers with hearing impairments: (1) identification issues as they relate to early amplification; (2) selection of amplification; and (3) assessment of aided function. Identification issues discussed include the goal of early identification of hearing loss and the impact…

Questionnaires completed by 204 certified speech pathologists and audiologists were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of supervision in the Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY), a practicum for speech pathology and audiology students. Data was collected for the following aspects of the CFY: personal information, information concerning the CFY…

In a speech presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Speech and Hearing Association (1974), the author discusses prospective direction for research in speech recognition and comprehension of the hearing impaired. A theoretical perspective focuses on the role of probabilities in the process of transmitting and receiving auditory messages.…

The Digital And Video Interactive Device (DAVID) interactive system was developed at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in the 1970s for the purpose of enhancing instruction in audiology and speech pathology for deaf students at the postsecondary level. The DAVID system incorporates a minicomputer with a disk drive, a videotape recorder…

The primary emphasis in mainstreaming hard of hearing children should be on providing the opportunity for optimum use of residual hearing. Evidence of the lack of attention to this area includes the fact that many children who have hearing aids do not wear them. Well trained educational audiologists acting as supportive personnel would enhance the…

This paper addresses incidence of hearing loss in school-age children, components of hearing conservation programs, and hearing loss education. Incidence figures for the following hearing loss categories are detailed: unilateral hearing loss, fluctuating hearing loss, minimal sensorineural hearing loss, and mild to profound hearing loss.…

This paper describes five programs of early intervention for children with hearing impairments and their families. Programs are described according to their mission, services, and unique contribution to the field of early intervention. First, essential components of all programs are identified. These are evaluation, audiological management, parent…