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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Cochlear Implantation and Knowledge Needs of Early Intervention Professionals' Track: 2 - Audiological Services Keyword(s): cochlear implant, age of implantation Learning Objectives: 1. Identify knowledge gaps of early intervention professionals relative to spoken language development in young deaf children. 2. Describe recent research on key factors impacting cochlear implant outcomes in young children. 3. Suggest methods of improving cochlear implant outcomes via the early intervention advisement process. Abstract: Parents of children who are born with deafness rely upon information and guidance provided by early intervention professionals to make decisions about whether and when to pursue hearing technology for their children. Since recent studies have demonstrated the strong correlation between early implantation (under 18 months of age) and long term language outcomes in children, the timeliness of accurate information provided to families by such professionals is a critical part of the pediatric implant process. Despite some reduction in age at CI over the past ten years, the mean age at the time of implantation in children under age 3 in 2010 was 20 months. This means that many young children are still coming to the process of CI at an older age than is optimal if they are to have the best spoken language outcomes. This session will review the most recent research on the topic of impact of age on outcomes as well as the results of surveys conducted with early intervention professionals regarding their knowledge of basic constructs and tools in facilitating early auditory skills with a cochlear implant. Suggestions will be made as to key information to be shared with early intervention professionals working with families to ensure that parents have the information that they need at the optimal time for those who wish to pursue cochlear implantation for their children. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Donna Sorkin - Cochlear Americas      Credentials: M.A.       Donna Sorkin, M.A. is Vice President, Consumer Affairs at Cochlear Americas. She leads a range of activities at Cochlear aimed at the broad life needs of the cochlear implant community including educational options for children, accessibility, and insurance reimbursement. Ms. Sorkin conducts periodic surveys of parents to better understand the needs of children with hearing loss at school as well as parental experiences with early intervention programs. Ms. Sorkin was executive director of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People and she served as executive director of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She has served on a number of federal, corporate and university boards including the U.S. Access Board, the National Institute on Deafness (NIH) Advisory Board, and Gallaudet University. She has written and spoken extensively on educational and access issues for children and adults who are deaf and hard of hearing.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -