Help for Deaf Children

The article by Roberta G. Wax “Baby See, Baby Say: Learning to Speak” (Nov. 15) was very good in calling attention to the urgent need for early deafness in children to be recognized.

However, in her paragraph regarding hard-of-hearing or deaf babies “ceasing to babble” and not receiving the proper reinforcement of hearing, she failed to note that there are active agencies that can help .

HEAR Center in Pasadena has worked with born-deaf babies and children in aiding the reception of sounds and consequent learning of speech. Dr. Ciwa Griffiths, our founder, has studied early childhood and neonatal deafness throughout her professional activities. HEAR Center, for 30 years, has been helping such children, as well as older children and adults with hearing and speech problems.

Dr. Griffiths presented a paper at the 16th International Congress on Education of the Deaf in Manchester, England, in August 1985, citing the tremendous gains that can be accomplished in speech for the born-deaf or hard-of-hearing child. This work has been internationally recognized. Plans are under way to establish in-hospital new-born hearing testing to identify babies needing early aid. A non-invasive brain-stem test can be done and hearing aids put on the child within a month of the discovery of the problem.

Thanks to Dr. Dunlea for her study of the need but let’s give these children a future with the available help.

MRS. STEPHEN J. LENT JR.

vice president, board of trustees

HEAR Center