Comment on the Joint Committee Statement

Abstract

Enclosed in this issue of the BULLETIN is the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing 1994 Position Statement just released for publication. The Joint Committee member organizations that have prepared and approved this position statement include the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the American Academy of Audiology, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the Directors of Speech and Hearing Programs in State Health and Welfare Agencies. Here is what you need to know–The 1994 Position Statement:

1. 1.

Endorses the goal of universal detection of infants with hearing loss and encourages continuing research and development to improve techniques for detection of and intervention for hearing loss as early as possible.

2.

Maintains a role for the indicators (formerly called risk factors) described in the 1990 Position Statement.

3.

Identifies indicators associated with delayed or late onset hearing loss and recommends procedures to monitor infants with these indicators.

4.

Recognizes the adverse effects of fluctuating conductive hearing loss from persistent or recurring otitis media with effusion (OME) and recommends monitoring infants with OME for hearing loss.

5.

Endorses the provision of intervention services in accordance with Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Public Law 102–115.