TERRE HAUTE —
Most parents assume their infant can hear, “I love you,” along with all the other sounds that fill a child’s life — music, birds singing, and the whispers of a caring grandparent. But many children cannot hear all of those sounds.
At birth, one of every 300 babies has a permanent hearing loss. By 6 years of age, two of every 300 children are not able to hear clearly in one or both ears.
Imagine how crushing it would be as a parent to learn that their child was one who had been struggling for many months, or even years, to hear their voice.
Parents of children attending Early Head Start in Vigo County no longer need to worry about their child’s ability to hear. Infants and toddlers are having their hearing checked using Otoacoustic Emissions hearing screening technology.
This quick, painless, and reliable method can be used by nurses, teachers and other trained professionals.
Children who do not pass the OAE screening are referred to an audiologist who can perform a complete evaluation.
If a child has a hearing loss, the audiologist can help parents to learn about the many intervention options that are now available. Early diagnosis and appropriate intervention is the key to normal development.
Because hearing is so important, newborns in the U.S. now receive a hearing screening before leaving the hospital. Parents generally assume that their child’s hearing will be checked again during well-child visits. This is usually not the case, however.
Health care providers routinely look for ear infections, but most do not have OAE equipment to screen for hearing loss. Many providers simply question parents about a child’s ability to hear.
Others may perform an informal test by watching whether the child reacts to a hand clap or other noise.
Children with hearing loss, who often have some degree of hearing, may turn toward some sounds, leading adults to believe they hear better than they do. Informal methods cannot detect hearing loss that can be identified by OAE screening.
The Hamilton Center Early Head Start developed its OAE screening practices with assistance from The Early Childhood Hearing Outreach Initiative.
This Initiative is funded by the Office of Head Start and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau as the National Resource Center on Early Hearing Detection and Intervention.
The ECHO Initiative is helping early childhood programs around the country to identify children with hearing loss early and to help children, and their families, get the help they need.
Information for health and education professionals is available at
kidshearing.org. Information for parents is found at hearandnow.org.
Health & Fitness
Vigo Early Head Start students receiving hearing screenings
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World MS Day celebrated on May 30
Multiple Sclerosis affects the lives of over 2 million people around the world (an estimated 10,000 to 14,000 MS sufferers live in Indiana). World MS Day was launched in 2009 and is spearheaded by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation. Last year, events took place in more than 73 countries to raise awareness of this auto-immune disease which can cause symptoms ranging from mild numbness to pain or paralysis.
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Study: Stigma exists with free health care
A new study by Indiana University sociologists found that a stigma exists against individuals seeking free health care services. Patients of a free health care clinic reported in a survey that many people would be embarrassed about admitting they sought services from such a clinic.
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NEWSMAKER: May 23, 2012
The American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy honored Dr. David Williams as the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Society’s 15th Annual Meeting on Saturday in Milwaukee.
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BRIEFLY: May 23, 2012
• America’s Boating course seminars set
• Therapeutic yoga classes coming up
• DSI golf tourney slated for June 6
• Vigo tire amnesty day set for June 2
• Mayhem at Mill Creek scheduled
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VIDEO: Suspected TB case at Woodrow Wilson
A suspected case of tuberculosis at Woodrow Wilson Middle School has prompted free testing next week for students and staff at the east side Terre Haute school. Testing is not mandatory and parental permission is required for students.
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IU dermatologist gives sun protection tips
With the days growing longer and the temperatures rising, Hoosiers are spending more time outdoors.
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ISU class works with hospital on projects
Several Indiana State University students swallowed their anxiety as they started discussing their group projects — presenting to dozens of managers, supervisors and senior leaders at Union Hospital.
- SUPPORT GROUPS: May 16, 2012
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Relay for Life event includes Bark for Life
A huge Relay for Life event is being conducted on Saturday at the Parke County Fairgrounds. This fun-filled event includes activities for the entire family, including the dog.
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Great Strides walk for Cystic Fibrosis is Sunday
On Sunday, the Great Strides walk for CF will take place at Hawthorn Park in Vigo County.
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Indiana Family Helpline gets new number
Change has come for the Indiana Family Helpline, a free comprehensive information and referral program operated by the Indiana State Department of Health. The phone number has been updated to help make it easier for callers to remember. The new toll-free number is 1-855-HELP-1ST (1-855-435-7178).
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HEALTH BRIEFLY: May 9, 2012
• Event on ‘Living with Alzheimer’s’
• Long-term care workshop at AAA
• Essence of Red offers free CPR training
• May is ALS Awareness Month
• Rise and Shine Dine With a Doc set
• Organizers prepare for triathlon
• Event for Alzheimer’s Association planned
• Learn to boost your energy at program
• ‘Be The Match’ donor event set
- SUPPORT GROUPS: May 9, 2012
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May brings action, awareness on asthma
Nearly 25 million Americans suffer from asthma, a disease that affects the lungs by causing episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing. Children are especially susceptible as one out of every 10 school-aged children has asthma in the United States. Asthma is one of the most common serious chronic diseases of childhood.
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Planned Parenthood to offer free Pap tests
Planned Parenthood of Indiana will offer free Pap tests at 19 of its health centers in celebration of National Women’s Health Week, May 13-19. The Terre Haute Planned Parenthood will offer the tests on Tuesday.
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National Women’s Health Week coming up
Professional Hearing & Audiology Clinic is joining the Better Hearing Institute and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in celebrating National Women’s Health Week, by offering free hearing examinations May 14-18 for women in the community.
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Hospital sponsors marrow donor registration drive
Each year, 5,000 patients in need of a bone marrow transplant go without one. On May 10, Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center will host a “Be The Match” bone marrow donor registration drive in celebration of National Hospital Week.
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Union-Clinton to partner with Providence Medical Group
Union Hospital Clinton’s telemedicine program is expanding to include hematology and oncology services.
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Paint The Town Pink Carnation Sale is May 11
The Wabash Valley Breast Cancer Survivor Organization will paint a huge pink ribbon on the pavement at Sixth Street and Wabash Avenue on Sunday to kick off its 11th annual Paint The Town Pink Carnation Sale on May 11.
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HEALTH BRIEFLY: May 2, 2012
• Vision loss meeting for veterans set
• Rose offering swim lessons this summer
• Crawford Triathlon prep under way
• Vera Bradley Bingo fundraiser set
- SUPPORT GROUPS: May 2, 2012
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Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is Saturday
The Vigo County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners, will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
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Free car seat check-up at Central Christian Church
CHANCES for Indiana Youth is teaming up with Central Christian Church in Terre Haute to help parents and caregivers make sure their child safety seats are properly installed in their vehicles.
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Ask SHIP: April 25, 2012
Q: My friend says she gets extra help paying for her Medicare prescription costs. I have not been able to afford all of my prescriptions lately and wonder if I qualify too.
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Marrow donor drive planned
Mark your calendar for May 10 to participate in a “Be The Match” bone marrow donor registration drive at Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center.
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Caregivers Expo set in Paris
The 10th annual Caregivers Expo for informal caregivers throughout the community will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 21 in the Visiting Specialty Clinic lobby at Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center.
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Dine with a Doc welcomes dentist
The next Senior Education Ministries Inc. Rise and Shine Dine with a Doc community education program is scheduled 8 to 10 a.m. Friday in the Wabash Senior Citizens Center at 300 S. Fifth St. in Terre Haute.
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PREP ROUNDUP: North, South track teams pick up wins
Logan Hambrock won the 800 meters in a time of 2:05.95 and edged teammate Jackson Bertoli in the 1,600 with a time of 4:36.13 to help Terre Haute South win a three-way boys high school track and field meet at Edgewood. Hambrock also teamed with Bertoli, Devon Fuson and Scotty Noble to help the Braves with the 3,200 relay in a time of 8:36.
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Workshop to help adults with chronic illness
Area 7 Agency on Aging and Disabled is offering a workshop for adults with chronic health conditions or those living with or caring for people with chronic conditions.
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