Accessibility
Main Menu
Menu
Login
Join
Menu
Main Menu
Login
Menu
Menu
Main Menu
Menu

Ontario Resumes Infant Hearing Checks: Additional Funding Will Increase Audiology Capacity to Screen Infants Impacted by the COVID-19 Outbreak

by

TORONTO — The Ontario government is providing $3.8 million to support hearing checks for infants who did not receive the universal newborn hearing screen due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Over the past several months, Infant Hearing Program lead agencies suspended the newborn hearing screen commonly provided pre-discharge from hospitals and in community locations based on the advice of health officials.

As the province re-opens, Infant Hearing Program lead agencies are now starting to safely resume in-person services. Understanding how vital the Infant Hearing Program is to the development and wellness of infants, this additional investment will increase audiology capacity by hiring audiologists and increasing referrals for hearing checks. Newborns who did not receive a newborn hearing screen can now do so.

“Supporting the health and well-being of newborns and their families is a priority,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “These additional funds mean that newborns who missed their hearing screening will now be able to receive this vital service, and that concerns or risks can be addressed early and infants are provided with the support they need as soon as possible.”

Ontario’s Infant Hearing Program provides universal hearing tests for newborn babies to detect signs of early hearing loss in children. Infants who are identified as having hearing loss are then referred to a specialist who will work with his/her parents to ensure they have the resources to develop the critical language and literacy skills needed to be successful in school and in their communities.

 

Quick Facts

  • In 2019-20 the government invested $13.6 million in the Infant Hearing Program.
  • In the 2019-20 fiscal year, 128,327 babies were screened across Ontario. Of these, approximately 500 were identified with permanent hearing loss.
  • Infant Hearing Program lead agencies will arrange a hearing check by an audiologist for babies who missed their newborn hearing screen. Contact the Infant Hearing Program location near you for more information.

 

SAC Member Nausheen Khan Discusses Funding Changes in Alberta’s Education System – Radio Interview

by

On July 9, SAC S-LP member Nausheen Khan was interviewed on 770 CHQR about funding changes in Alberta’s education system and their impact on speech-language pathology services in schools. Throughout the interview, Nausheen and the radio show host discussed the effects budget cuts have on children with speech and language difficulties. 

The funding cuts are extensive, severe and abrupt. With a limited number of S-LPs in schools, children with speech and language difficulties will not be properly identified. As well, children will not make progress without ongoing speech-language pathology interventions of sufficient frequency and intensity. 

In the interview, Nausheen explained: “When you go from a department with 25 S-LPs down to four, there’s going to be a lot of work that’s just not going to happen… There are windows of opportunities when children are young that are very important, and the impact you have when you put supports in place at that age can save children.” 

To listen to the full interview, visit this website. 

Audiology Clinical Practice Guidelines

by

Guidelines and resources to inform audiology practice during the Covid-19 pandemic:

COVID-19 Return to Work Guidance and Recommendations for Vestibular Clinicians (AAA)

Newborn Hearing Screenings and Follow-Up During a Pandemic (AAA)

Best Practices Guidelines for Safely Conducting Hearing Testing During the COVID-19 Pandemic (NHCA)

Audiology & Otology joint guidance updated – 1 June 2020 (AIHHP, BAA, BSA, BSHAA Joint Guidance)

Audiological profile of asymptomatic Covid-19 PCR-positive cases

 

 

New Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Practice Guidelines

by

Guidelines are now available to inform speech-language pathology practice during the COVID-19 pandemic including:

 

Proposed Changes to BC’s Health Professional Regulatory Framework

by

BMS along with Gowlings WLG has prepared an information sheet on proposed changes to the health professional regulatory framework in British Colombia. 

Since March of 2018, there has been an inquiry into the model of health profession regulation in BC. A steering committee was created to consult on and assess the current framework, leading to a number of criticisms and proposed changes. 

Earlier this year SAC provided feedback to the Government of British Columbia’s Steering Committee on Modernization of Health Professional Regulation. SAC’s submission focused on concerns raised by our BC members regarding the impact the Committee’s proposed changes could have on professionals working in BC.

SAC stressed the importance of ensuring all regulatory changes are made openly and transparently, as well as, the importance of responding to complaints in a timely manner and involving speech-language pathologists and audiologists with specific practice expertise in the public complaints process. 

Further information on the proposed changes to the BC health professional regulatory framework can be found in this information sheet from BMS and Gowlings WLG. 
 

COVID-19 Update: Dysphagia Management via Telepractice

by

Many S-LPs are challenged to provide dysphagia management via telepractice during the COVID-19 pandemic.  A new Communiqué article about this topic – Dysphagia Assessment and Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned from the Transition to Telepractice by SAC members Gabrielle Carrier, Veronica Rodriguez and Dr. Rosemary Martino – is now available.

 

Related international resources include:

S-LPs in Canada may need to modify international approaches to telepractice to ensure compliance with applicable Canadian federal and/or provincial legislation and regulatory requirements.

COVID-19 Update: Infection Prevention and Control

by

SAC has compiled a list of infection prevention and control resources from organizations in Canada and internationally that may be helpful. We also recommend that SAC members and associates familiarize themselves with infection prevention and control guidance provided by their regulatory body, as well as applicable provincial/territorial public health agencies.

 

Canadian Resources

 

International Resources

 

Announcement from the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program: Request for Proposals for Health Professional Expert Advisory Services required for the Medical Supplies and Equipment and Vision Care Benefits

by

Announcement from the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program: Request for Proposals for Health Professional Expert Advisory Services required for the Medical Supplies and Equipment and Vision Care Benefits
 
The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program provides coverage for a range of health benefits and services to registered First Nations and recognized Inuit when these benefits are not provided through other public programs or private health benefit plans. NIHB Program benefits include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, medical supplies and equipment (MS&E), mental health counselling, dental care, vision care, and medical transportation. Information about the NIHB Program can be found at www.canada.ca/NIHB.
 
The NIHB Program is seeking health professionals from each of the following professions to be members of an expert advisory committee related to medical supplies and equipment benefits, and vision care benefits for First Nations and Inuit:
 
  • Registered Nurse or Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Physician
  • Public Health Physician or Nurse
  • Health Economist
  • Ophthalmologist
  • Optometrist
  • Respirologist
  • Physiatrist
  • Otolaryngologist
  • Audiologist
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Podiatrist or Chiropodist
  • Pedorthist
  • Orthotist
  • Prosthetist
  • Respiratory Therapist
  • Speech Language Pathologist
  • Hearing Instrument Practitioner
·        Dietitian
·        Midwife
 
 
Health professionals who are interested in bidding for these expert advisory contracts are encouraged to visit the Government of Canada’s Public Works and Government Services Canada procurementwebsite https://buyandsell.gc.ca/ (Reference number: PW-20-00913798; Solicitation number: 1000213742) as of May 4, 2020 or click on the link: https://buyandsell.gc.ca/procurement-data/tender-notice/PW-20-00913798 to view the posting and submit a proposal.
 
 
Log In
Main Menu