<< BACK TO AGENDA

ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Presenter Information:	Presenter 1: Name: Karl White Affiliation: Karl White is a Professor of Psychology at Utah State University and the founding Director of the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM). He has conducted numerous research projects and has published extensively about the issues and evidence related to implementing and improving the efficacy of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs. Projects currently underway at NCHAM are focused on developing more effective hearing screening and intervention programs through research, improving public health information systems, training and technical assistance, and information dissemination. Dr. White has hundreds of publications and presentations at scholarly meetings, and has been an invited speaker to 32 countries where he has assisted in the implementation of newborn hearing screening and intervention programs.
Author Information:	Author 1: Name: Karl White Affiliation: Utah State University Author 2: Name: Irene Forsman Affiliation: Marternal and Child Health Bureau Author 3: Name: Stephanie Limb Affiliation: Maternal and Child Health Policy Research Center
Abstract Information:	Title: Assuring Financial Access to Hearing Aids for Infants and Young Children Primary Track: 7-Program Evaluation and Quality Assurance Keyword(s): hearing aids, financing Abstract: In addition to stating that hearing screening should occur before one month of age, diagnosis before 3 months of age, and intervention before 6 months of age, the Healthy People 2010 goals also call for increased access to hearing technology and rehabilitative services, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive or augmentative devices. One of the most serious obstacles to the implementation of the Healthy People 2010 hearing goals for children –- in addition to the severe shortage of pediatric audiologists –- is inadequate financing of hearing aids and related professional services. In a 2003 survey of state EHDI programs, 88% cited financing problems for hearing aids and as a significant barrier limiting access to needed intervention services. In response to these problems, the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau formed the Children’s Audiology Financing Work Group in 2006. The purpose of the group was to examine children’s financial access to hearing aids and develop recommendations and implementation options to assure that infants and young children with permanent hearing loss have timely and affordable access to appropriate hearing aids and related professional services. The group had 2 objectives: 1) to consider what is known about public and private financing for hearing aids and related professional services and 2) to develop recommendations for improving financial access to these services for infants and young children with permanent hearing loss. This presentation summarizes the group’s findings regarding public and private financing for hearing aids and describes four possibilities for improving access to hearing aids Presentation(s): Not Available Handouts: Not Available