(Logan, Utah-November 1, 2005) Karl White a pioneer in expanding universal newborn hearing screening will be one of two professionals awarded the Distinguished Service Award during the 2005 Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), November 18-20 in San Diego, CA. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes significant contributions to the field of speech-language pathology and/or audiology by non-members. Honored individuals have made outstanding contributions to the discipline of communication science and disorders, research, administration, or service to state or national organizations.
Over the past two decades no other individual has been more responsible for the rapid national and international expansion of universal newborn hearing screening than Karl White. He has made contributions to the public, the Association, and the professions through research, legislative and government activities, consumer advocacy, and public awareness. White's work has definitely resulted in earlier identification of children with hearing loss in every state of the nation and 29 other countries around the world.
The annual ASHA convention is the most comprehensive development conference for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language and hearing scientists. It features more than 1,500 educational sessions that highlight the latest developments in research and clinical practices for professionals who provide services in schools, hospitals, health care centers, rehabilitation clinics, and other practice settings.
Nearly 300 exhibitors, including hearing aid manufacturers and other companies in the speech and hearing industries, will showcase innovative products and services in the San Diego Convention Center's exhibit hall. Technology presentations on products, such as computer software programs as well as alternative and augmentative communication and assistive listening devices were also featured.
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 120,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems including swallowing disorders.
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