This report is the result of three expert panels (on language and language impairments, balance and balance disorders, and voice and voice disorders) which met in 1994 and 1995 and reported research accomplishments, federal program goals, and research opportunities to the National Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Advisory Board. For language and language impairments it reviews the following: language in deaf and hard-of-hearing people, language and language impairments in children and adults, and comparative studies of language and language impairments. For balance and balance disorders, the report reviews public health and education; signal transduction and transmission; development, aging, regeneration and genetics; control of posture and balance; control of gaze; perception of spatial orientation and autonomic control; diagnosis; and treatment. For voice and voice disorders, the report examines: normal structure and function; aging; biomechanics; diseases and disorders of the larynx and upper aerodigestive tract; and application of technology to prevention, diagnosis and treatment. An executive summary presents an overview of all three areas. An appendix provides the text of Public Law 100-553, the National Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Act of 1988. Also appended is a list of panel members. (DB)