Breaking News! The NAD ratified a resolution to amend the Newborn Hearing Detection and Intervention Act . A federal law requires that all newborns hearing be tested before they are discharged, the problems since its enactments was that there are various methods, and no standardization among states. An international conference was recently held to discuss the issue and to come up with a solution, that all parties, including delegates from the medical fields and Deaf consumer organizations, can agreed on, there were a consensus that we should focus on costs and effectiveness before making a recommendation of the procedures to be implemented universally. Johannesburg method was unanimously approved, it's been proven that the use of vuvuzelas* was more reliable than any audiological equipments. It's affordable, especially in third world countries that lack the facilities. A newborn is obviously Deaf if there is no startled reaction whatsoever when vuvuzelas are blown. It's effective even though there may be an occasional complaint from staff or patients in the adjoining rooms. The use of vuvuzelas are controversial at the World Cup as it is a public nuisance, but it is a custom that we must all respect, players and fans alike must put up with the distractions, but it doesn't affect us Deaf whatsoever.
*Definition: A vuvuzela is a plastic horn now being used in the maternity ward.
This is Smokey, stay tuned for the next episode of Deaf Anthology. Good night, Deaf America!
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