UC Irvine

Hearing impairment or loss may occur in isolation or in association with other developmental disorders and can be due to numerous causes. The screening and early diagnosis of hearing impairment represents an important public health concern as early intervention is associated with better long-term outcomes. With advances in technology, interventions for hearing impairment are becoming more sophisticated; however, available treatments also have to contend with definitions of health and cultural sensitivity. Hearing impairment is a chronic condition with multi-dimensional characteristics and its management requires a well-coordinated interdisciplinary approach.