Choices in Deafness: A Parents' Guide to Communication Options by A. J. Nair

From the Publisher

Choices in Deafness, since 1987 the preeminent guide to communication options, is now extensively revised and expanded to provide the complete scope of information parents of children with deafness or hearing loss need. From assessment and diagnosis to medical/audiological treatments, and from the latest types of cochlear implants and procedures to education and technology devices, this new edition presents a balance of research, guidance, and insight from experts and families. Seven new chapters plus an audio CD cover:

Universal Newborn Screening (implemented in 38 states, this required screening detects hearing loss much earlier, and has doubled the number of children found to have hearing loss)

Auditory Neuropathy (a cause of hearing loss where the timing of sound is seriously disrupted, and which has only recently been understood)

Genetic Causes of Deafness (describes genetic testing and counseling in light of research that shows over 60% of deafness in children is due to genetic or hereditary causes)

The Transformation of Dreams (explores a shift in emotional outlook experienced by a parent/clinical psychologist upon learning her child is deaf)

Identifying a Program of Excellence (what to look for in an education program for your child in addition to the chosen communication option)

Communication Technology (services and devices that let deaf people communicate via phone, cell phone, Internet, video)

Making It in College (personal accounts of four students about how they communicate and socialize at college)

What Hearing Loss Sounds Like (a seven-minute audio CD depicts what speech sounds like as it simulates how hearing loss can affect pitch, loudness,and timing)

As in the previous edition, Choices in Deafness presents five unbiased approaches to communication-Auditory-Verbal, ASL-English Bilingual, Cued Speech, Auditory-Oral, and Total Communication-and provides parents' first-person accounts of what it's like to use a specific method. Reading and resource lists round out this essential guide for parents.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Katie Montague, M.A. (George Washington University)
Description:This collection of chapters, each written by a different expert in the field of audiology, outlines the steps needed to detect, assess, and treat a child with hearing loss. It also includes personal stories about children and adults with hearing loss. The second edition was published in 1996.
Purpose:This book is meant to educate parents, using straightforward, non-technical language, about audiology, basic medical aspects of deafness, cochlear implants, genetics, auditory neuropathy, new technologies, and finding an appropriate treatment program. It will certainly help parents formulate informed questions for the practitioners they will meet.
Audience:The book is written for parents and caregivers of children newly diagnosed with a hearing loss. The chapters are written by accomplished professionals in their area of expertise.
Features:In addition to the extensive information about audiology, genetics, and communication options, the decision to include real-life personal stories about children and adults with hearing loss was a great idea. It is easy to read these stories and relate to the concerns and emotions experienced by families confronting hearing loss for the first time. One unique part of the book is its chapter on auditory neuropathy/dys-synchrony, a disorder that is becoming more common in the deaf and hard of hearing world but still is not written about very often.
Assessment:This is an excellent educational tool for parents looking for general information on hearing loss. Experts in the field present parents with allthe communication options currently available for children who are deaf and hard of hearing. The book presents this information in an organized fashion that allows for easy navigation. Readers can either sit down and read the book cover-to-cover or read chapters as needed. The third edition covers many new topics and areas of research that have been developed since the second edition was published.

Library Journal

Overwhelmingly, hearing parents raise deaf children. Most of the time they have no prior exposure to people with hearing loss and must face some very difficult options, for deaf education has been divided by controversy and bias for decades. This work provides comprehensive information on various methodologies with straightforward delivery, offering the perspective of parents and of children who have grown up since the publication of the first edition. While only three methodologies were discussed in the first editiontotal communication, oralism, and cued speechthe auditory/ verbal and bilingual-bicultural approaches have been added here. This edition also covers in depth the medical causes of hearing loss, the diagnostic process, meeting with the audiologist, and the pros and cons of the newest technology, the cochlear implant. This work guides parents through the choices they must make for their child, covering conditions and treatment from both the parents' and the child's point of view. National organizations serving the deaf or hard of hearing are listed, along with contact information. Recommended for public libraries.Emily H. Ferren, Ruth Enlow Lib. of Garrett Cty., Oakland, Md.

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