One of the most important things I learned while in China was the importance of early intervention.
We saw hundreds of patients in six days, and I was surprised how many of them appeared to have mild or moderate hearing loss. Many of these patients had been labeled as deaf at a very young age and were separated from their hearing peers or even their parents. Many of them appeared to not be well integrated into the hearing world, which affected their growth, development, and future prospects.
Because of the hard work of audiologists around the state, including at Chesapeake Hearing Centers, Maryland has mandated newborn hearing screenings for all babies. Early screenings and interventions are key to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to be part of and excel in our vibrant, modern world.