AAP News Vol. 15 No. 5 May 1999, p. 5
© 1999 American Academy of Pediatrics
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Addressing early hearing loss

Sherry Trust Llewellyn

The sooner a hearing deficiency is identified, the better a child's chance of developing speech and language skills. However, early newborn hearing screening currently is not standard practice. Now, thanks to Academy members and the support of some members of Congress, things may change. In March, Rep. James Walsh (R-NY) re-introduced the AAP-endorsed Newborn and Infant Hearing Screening and Intervention Act of 1999 (H.R. 1193) to address this serious issue.

Last year, Rep. Walsh proposed similar legislation that was not acted on by Congress. He reinforced his commitment to addressing early hearing loss by forming a work group of pediatric and hearing experts, including members of the Academy, to improve the legislation. If passed, this new bill will authorize support for statewide newborn and infant hearing screening, evaluation and intervention. It also will offer technical assistance, statewide data management, a national applied research program and private sector collaboration for policy development.