Controversies in the field of hearing impairment: Early identification, educational methods, and cochlear implants

One per 1,000 infants has severe to profound congenital hearing loss that, without intervention, will profoundly affect development. It is hoped that neonatal hearing screening will improve outcomes for individuals who are co ngenitally deaf. However, early identification will not yield the anticipat ed outcome gains without early intervention. The community speech and langu age pathologist, audiologist, pediatrician, or infant educator, in consulta tion with the referral audiologist, is charged with counseling the family a nd identifying appropriate services. This article explores available interv ention choices including methods of communication and cochlear implantation .