April 11, 2012

        My focus of the topic deafness in this blog post is early diagnosis. It is ideal to detect deafness as early as possible, due to the vast about of changes that occur in early development. Parents have to make crucial decisions on what options will be used to either "treat" or not "treat". The reason I put the word "treat" in quotations is due to the controversies that surround deafness. Some people view deafness at a problem in which it needs to be fixed or treated. I will use this throughout my blogs. I am a firm believer in deaf culture and I tend to be against cochlear implants (will be discussed in a later post).Today, I focused on the initial warning signs before diagnosis.
         The Centers for the Disease Control and Provention states that most identications of a child are often questioned in screening and in tests. Most parents, when children are every young (babies and toddlers), are unaware that their child is deaf because of the lack of vocabulary and understandings of words, along with the lack of communication. The CDC states that in 2009 that 98% of children covering 50 states were screened for hearing.
        Hearing screening are series of sounds in which you determine if you can hear the sounds. The hearing screening is conducted by an audiologists. There are multiple types of tests that can be used and helps to deternine hearing loss. One test is called the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Test, and is responsible for showing the brains reaction to sound. The next test is Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) and this test focuses on the interaction between the inner ear and sound. The last test is Behavioral Audiometry Evaluation, which all parts of the ear are involved in all parts of the ear.

http://www.cdc.gov/NCBDDD/hearingloss/screening.html

April 9, 2012

During this quarter, I would like to focus my research on the discoveries of deafness in children by families. I have recently received my certificate in deaf studies and I studied all the options available, but never did I study the challenges and the beginnings of being diagnosed.  Is there information that doctors give to first time parents about warning sign that indicate deafness? Are their classes to educate parents about deafness? Are parents offered classes in American Sign Language? Are resources available to parents about deafness?I have many questions about the early stages of deafness.I plan, after graduation to return to school and finish my degree in sign language interpretation. I have a great passion to become a teacher of early childhood students, who are deaf.

It can be a very overwhelming experience for parents. Our community has many perspectives on deafness. Some view deafness as a "problem" that needs to be "fixed"; while others believe that deafness is an enriching experience in which you can become involved in a culture of beautiful language (ASL). It is very difficult to make a decision for your child that will effect the rest of their lives. As I quickly researched this topic, I found a website that provides answers to questions that are frequently asked in concern by parents. The website addresses the benefits and disadvantages of early diagnosing, learning ways of communicating, and resources that allow you to discuss your challenges with other parents who are experiencing or have experienced the same situations. I believe this website is just one step that a parent could take into becoming educated on deafness.

http://www.familysupportconnection.org/html/HOHissues.htm#communication