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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Presenter Information:
Presenter 1: Name: Marcia Foster

Affiliation: Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children

Marcia Foster began her career in Audiology at Sunshine Cottage School in San Antonio, Texas in 2004. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders at Abilene Christian University, Marcia then completed her Doctorate of Audiology education at Texas Tech University. Working with children has been a lifelong passion for Marcia and serving the children and families at Sunshine Cottage continues to be a challenging and rewarding gift she treasures every day. In addition to being a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, Marcia has presented at the Texas Speech-Language Hearing Association’s annual conference as well as various community health seminars in the local San Antonio area discussing the importance of early identification and intervention with pediatric hearing loss.
Presenter 2: Name: Jessie Ritter
Affiliation: Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children

Author Information:
Author 1: Name: Marcia Foster
Affiliation: Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children
Author 2: Name: Linda Luduena
Affiliation: Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children
Author 3: Name: Jessie Ritter
Affiliation: Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children
Author 4: Name: Monica Dorman
Affiliation: Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children
Abstract Information:
Title: How Does Early Identification of Hearing Loss Affect Speech-Language Development?
Primary Track: 2-Audiological Assessment and Intervention
Keyword(s): audiology, speech, hearing, language, education

Abstract:

This investigation analyzed audiological and standardized speech and language assessment data from children with hearing loss at Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children. Sunshine Cottage is an auditory oral private school in San Antonio, TX serving newborns through high school students and their families. The Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Departments at Sunshine Cottage consist of ten professionals who focus on the identification of hearing loss, intervention and implementation of a habilitation program as early as possible to promote oral communication and listening skills. Research has shown that several factors are known to affect the likelihood of a child with hearing loss becoming an effective oral communicator. These factors include the age that the hearing loss is identified, the age when hearing aid and/or cochlear implant use begins, and the severity of the hearing loss. In addition, audiological equipment, (i.e. digital hearing aids and cochlear implants), is constantly being improved. With regard to the legal implementation of universal newborn hearing screening across the United States, children are being identified with hearing loss earlier than ever before. Many of the first children identified with hearing loss as a result of universal newborn hearing screening are now in elementary school. Our presentation reveals how the speech of these early-identified children sounds in comparison to children with typical hearing. And we will examine how our early-identified children understand language and express themselves in comparison with their same-aged peers with typical hearing.
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