September 19, 2023, Washington, D.C.: American Cochlear Implant Alliance (ACI Alliance) recently published comments responding to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) report “Hearing Assessment in Infants, Children and Adolescents: Recommendations Beyond Neonatal Screening.”
While the report directs needed attention to the critical importance of hearing healthcare in children, including assessment protocols and mention of CMV as a leading cause of childhood hearing loss, it provides inaccurate or incomplete information on several important topics. Given that many pediatricians are unfamiliar with the options and opportunities for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and how they can play a key role in supporting a child’s hearing loss journey, we were disappointed with the report’s inaccurate and biased information.
ACI Alliance’s comments can be found on the AAP website and include:
“The authors note cochlear implants as an option that provides more listening opportunity than hearing aids for some children, but do not discuss current communication outcomes for children with severe to profound hearing levels who do not receive a CI. Further, the report notes the importance of parent choice but does not provide representational citations on outcomes associated with various communication options.
We urge the American Academy of Pediatrics to withdraw this report and convene a representative group of clinicians, organizations, and parents to provide an up-to-date, balanced, and representative clinical report on options for children who are D/HH.”
To read the full comments on our website: www.acialliance.org/page/Comments_Testimony
ACI Alliance is a not-for-profit membership organization created with the purpose of eliminating barriers to cochlear implantation by sponsoring research, driving heightened awareness and advocating for improved access to cochlear implants for patients of all ages across the US.
