Use of Financial Resources for the Hearing Impaired

The cost of hear ing loss in chi ldren is an eno rmous b u r d e n to society. Yet there are well-known means by which the b u r d e n can be reduced if only the means were imp lemented . T h e costs to society, and to the individual families, are well recognized, bu t little action is taking place to use the means to decrease this drain. For state governments to initiate programs that will reduce the financial b u r d e n of hear ing loss and deafness, they must be aware of the following: first, the actual costs to the family and to the state from hear ing loss; and second, the steps that can be taken to relieve those costs.