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…

Early amplification is crucial to efficient habilitation and development of oral communication skills in hearing-impaired infants. Initial evaluation and fitting of amplification is a joint effort by the audiologist, therapist, and parents, whether the child uses traditional hearing aids or cochlear implants, and should be supplemented by a…

Presents the ideas and educational activities of the TRIANGLE intervention program for both hearing-impaired or deaf infants and their mothers. The program encourages children's integration into the community and into school, offers classes on everyday learning activities at home, provides counseling and audiological assessment for parents and…

A total of over 400 parents, teachers, therapists, and child development specialists in early intervention and preschool programs evaluated the ABILITIES Index, which describes the functional abilities and limitations of children across 9 domains. Satisfaction ratings across five dimensions were generally positive, with parents consistently rating…

Examined the effectiveness of the Aided Articulation Index (AAI) in the evaluation of the fitting of hearing aids, using a sample of hearing-impaired children in a kindergarten and primary school for the deaf in Japan. Found that AAI decreased with hearing threshold level and an AAI of 0.3 is necessary for children to function effectively with…

This transcript of a videotaped presentation introduces the early education program at the Fujimidai Auditory Centre for hearing-impaired children. The center serves children from birth until their enrollment in elementary school, and its activities include audiological assessment; hearing aid selection, check, and maintenance; individualized,…

Gives an overview of the present school system in Japan, focusing on early intervention for hearing impairments, auditory compensation devices, and instruction in auditory training. Suggests that recent developments in hearing aid technology have resulted in substantial improvements in the identification and rehabilitation of hearing-impaired…

Presents an overview of hearing aid fitting procedures and auditory rehabilitation for hearing-impaired children in Japan. Reviews issues of audiological management in Japanese schools and discusses two kinds of simplified auditory tests. Finally, highlights several controversial issues surrounding different perspectives and methods of education…