AG Bell Releases New Professional Practice Protocol

WASHINGTON, D.C. (PRWEB) December 03, 2014 -- The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) announces the release of a new professional practice protocol, adopted in June 2014, Recommended Protocol for Audiological Assessment, Hearing Aid and Cochlear Implant Evaluation, and Follow-up.

The recommended protocol is intended to support programs for early detection and management of hearing loss in infants and children. It also is a guide to appropriate and ongoing audiology services recommended for children pursuing a listening and spoken language outcome.

The protocol provides an overview of audiological management and includes procedures to assess amplification, audiological management for children with cochlear implants, and audiologic management regarding FM systems.

The document provides for family-centered practice and encourages parents to be present and participate in all assessment. Whenever possible, the Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (LSLS®) certified professional should be present at the audiological assessment or communicate questions or concerns regarding the child’s hearing or technology.

“Appropriately fitted auditory technology is arguably the foundation for access to listening and spoken language for children who are deaf and hard of hearing,” said Donald M. Goldberg, Ph.D., CCC-SLP/A, FAAA, LSLS Cert. AVT and an author of the document. “This protocol is an invaluable resource to the field in recommending a test battery approach for assessment.”

Emilio Alonso-Mendoza, AG Bell CEO noted that the protocol is one of the first documents of its kind to be released by the association. “This is an invaluable document for everyone in the field of listening and spoken language and a must-read guideline for both professionals and parents,” he said.

The protocol is available on the AG Bell Listening and Spoken Language Knowledge Center at http://www.listeningandspokenlanguage.org/Protocol.Audiological.Assessment/ and it also can be downloaded and saved as a PDF document.

The protocol outlined in this document is not prescriptive for professionals who hold the Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (LSLS®) certification to utilize in their scope of practice and is not required by AG Bell or the Alexander Graham Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language. It contains guidelines and recommendations for use at the professional’s discretion.

About the AG Bell Association
The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) helps families, health care providers and education professionals understand childhood hearing loss and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. Through advocacy, education and financial aid, AG Bell helps to ensure that every child and adult with hearing loss has the opportunity to listen, talk and thrive. With chapters located in the United States and a network of international affiliates, AG Bell supports its mission: Advancing Listening and Spoken Language for Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Visit ListeningandSpokenLanguage.org.

Susan Boswell, AG Bell Association, http://www.listeningandspokenlanguage.org, +1 (202) 204-4687, [email protected]