Jane Madell, PhD, has a consulting practice in pediatric audiology. She is an audiologist, speech-language pathologist, and LSLS auditory verbal therapist, with a BA from Emerson College and an MA and PhD from the University of Wisconsin. Her 45+ years experience ranges from Deaf Nursery programs to positions at the League for the Hard of Hearing (Director), Long Island College Hospital, Downstate Medical Center, Beth Israel Medical Center/New York Eye and Ear Infirmary as director of the Hearing and Learning Center and Cochlear Implant Center. Jane has taught at the University of Tennessee, Columbia University, Downstate Medical School, and Albert Einstein Medical School, published 7 books, and written numerous books chapters and journal articles, and is a well known international lecturer.
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Aug. 06, 2019

Research says fit babies with CI’s early

Jane Madell
We all know that the younger children are the easier it is to increase brain development. We also have known that the earlier children receive cochlear implants (or hearing aids) the better their language. Well, it will be no surprise that we know have data that confirms this. A study from the Children’s Hospital of Chicago has confirmed that infants
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Jul. 09, 2019

What Does It Take For A Child With Hearing Loss to Succeed

Jane Madell
I had the honor of presenting several presentations at the first AGBell International Conference in Madrid. Carol Flexer and I were asked to present the final Keynote (What Jane and Carol Know). It was a wonderful honor and our colleagues in the audience were terrific. We talked about how critical audition is to build the auditory brain. And how we
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Jun. 25, 2019

Finding Your Passion

Jane Madell
Today’s blog is written by Jessica Chaikof. Jessica  was born profoundly deaf and received her first cochlear implant in May of 1996 at fifteen months. At the time, she was the youngest child in the country to receive a cochlear implant. In May of 2004, Jessica went bilateral and was diagnosed with Usher syndrome type 1F about two years later.
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Jun. 10, 2019

Audiology in Mongolia

Jane Madell
I had the honor a few weeks ago of attending an international conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia as a representative of the Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss. I have had the honor of working with the Global Foundation several times in Vietnam but this was the first time I have gone with them to Mongolia. The government of Mongolia
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May. 28, 2019

Making the Case for Testing Soft Speech and Speech in Noise

Jane Madell
Everyone with hearing loss complains about the ability to hear and understand in the presence of competing noise. Unfortunately, audiologists do not test in noise often, and pediatric audiologists test even less often.   Why doesn’t speech in  noise get tested?   Audiologists do the work we do to help people and we really do not want to upset them
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May. 14, 2019

Books About Hearing Loss

Jane Madell
Today’s blog is a review of books I have received from authors, and parents about hearing loss in children. We are always looking for books to read to kids with hearing loss so that they know they are not alone. some of these might be helpful.   A Deaf Child’s Journey to Hearing Published by CICS, UK, a charity run
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Apr. 30, 2019

Educational Impact Matrix for Students with Hearing Loss

Jane Madell
The Michigan Department of Education has put together a matrix for estimating the educational impact of hearing loss. It is very useful in helping families and educators think about their students with hearing loss. Points are assigned for different factors. A limited description of the matrix is below.   Audiological factors   The first factor is degree of hearing loss
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Apr. 16, 2019

Making Story Books for Children

Jane Madell
Books are critical parts of learning. When babies are born I always give books – even if I am giving other presents. And I include a note with the books telling baby to ask parents to read at least 10 books a day. A hit to the parents to read every day. Parents can also make books about the child’s
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Apr. 03, 2019

Circles of Support

Jane Madell
I just attended the American Academy of Audiology conference in Columbus Ohio. While I do not like motivational speakers as a rule I did attend this year and was impressed. (And it was a good thing I did attend because I was surprised with the Presidential Award for service to the Academy and to the profession of Audiology. Very nice
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Mar. 19, 2019

The Importance of Building Social Communication Skills

Jane Madell
Today’s blog is written by my friend and colleague, Andrea Warner-Cyz. Dr. Andrea Warner-Czyz, Associate Professor at The University of Texas at Dallas, investigates communication and quality of life in children with hearing loss using cochlear implants (CIs). Her research focuses on risk and protective factors that underlie variability in speech, language, and hearing skills, and how these factors affect