About Special Interest Group 9, Pediatric Hearing and Hearing Disorders

Vision

To engage, inform, and connect a community of professionals who have interest in identifying, supporting, and maximizing the outcomes of the diverse pediatric population with hearing and balance disorders and differences.

Mission

To be an interprofessional, collaborative community for the creation, exchange, and dissemination of evidence-based knowledge related to the prevention, identification, assessment, and treatment of hearing and balance disorders and differences during childhood and adolescence.

Topic Areas

Typical and atypical auditory and vestibular development
Nature and etiologies of hearing loss in children, including the study of syndromes and genetics
Prevention, screening, and diagnosis of hearing and balance disorders in infants and children
Intervention and management of hearing and balance disorders
Language and communication development and habilitation for infants and young children who are deaf or hard of hearing
Selection, evaluation, and management of technology including hearing aids, implantable aids, hearing assistive technology (HAT), and cochlear implants (CIs)
Educational audiology
Service delivery models
Outcomes measures
Family and caregiver considerations
Policy issues impacting children who are deaf or hard of hearing
Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD)

Affiliate Benefits and SIG Programs

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups is the online peer-reviewed scholarly review journal of the SIGs. SIG 9 offers new self-study CE activities through Perspectives each year.

Continuing Education

Earn ASHA continuing education units (CEUs) through

Self-study of Perspectives and pay the lowest processing fee to take the learning assessments
SIG sponsored Master Classes and one-hour sessions at the annual ASHA Convention.

Networking

SIG 9 Affiliates have access to exclusive discussion forums/groups, which provide the opportunity to interact with other SIG Affiliates who share interest in pediatric hearing and hearing disorders. Use ASHA's Member Directory to search for individuals by SIG affiliation. In addition, SIG 9 Affiliates can meet in person and online at an ASHA and SIG 9 sponsored events; typically each SIG hosts an Affiliates meeting at Convention and sponsors a virtual open house.

Representation Within ASHA

The SIG 9 Coordinator represents the Special Interest Group on Childhood Hearing within the ASHA Board of Special Interest Group Coordinators.
The Coordinating Committee responds to ASHA requests for input regarding policy, guidelines, committees, and other issues.
Affiliates have the opportunity to provide input to the SIG leadership and ASHA.

Coordinating Committee Members

2021–2024 Coordinator: Kristina M. Blaiser, Idaho State University
2020–2025 Editor: Cynthia McCormick Richburg, Wichita State University
2024–2026 Professional Development Manager: Meredith L Spratford, Boys Town National Research Hospital
2024–2026 Member-at-Large: Alliete R Alfano, Florida International University, The Alfano Center
2023–2025 Member-at-Large: Carrie Spangler, Summit Educational Service Center
2021–2024 Member-at-Large: Derek J Stiles, Boston Children's Hospital
Ex Officio: Regina E. Zappi, Associate Director, Audiology Professional Practices, ASHA