The following professionals will play key roles in your child's life. Understanding their roles will help you evaluate their place in your child's life. Remember, as the parents, you are the leaders of the team, the CEO's if you will. Well informed and empowered parents challenge and bring out the best in professionals.

Audiologist- A professional trained to diagnose hearing loss and prescribe, fit and adjust hearing instruments and assistive listening systems.

Clinical Social Worker- A professional trained in family systems, behavior modification, adjustment and

Committee on Special Education- A group, including the parents, Teacher of the Deaf, Audiologist, Speech Pathologist, Psychologist and school administrator, that plans educational services for students with hearing loss.

Cued Speech Transliterator- A professional who accurately codes spoken language into Cued Speech verbatim, with no interpretation or translation.

Educational Audiologist- An audiologist with special training and experience to provide services to children in school.

Manualist- One who believes that Deaf children should be educated using Sign Language.

Neonatologist- A physician specializing in the care of newborns.

Neurotologist- An Otolaryngologist (ENT doctor) who specializes in surgery of the inner ear.

Oral Interpreter- A professional who produces mouth movement and facial expression to match spoken language to aid in lip-reading.

Oralist- Those who believe deaf and hard of hearing children should be educated using speech, audition and speechreading.

Otolaryngologist- A physician specializing in the care if the Ears, Nose and Throat.

Otologist- A physician specializing in surgery of the ear.

Pediatric Audiologist- An audiologist specializing in children.

Sign Language Interpreter- A professional who translates spoken language into Sign Language. Since the languages are different, translation occurs, but the concept, tone and intent are faithfully communicated.

Speech Pathologist- A professional trained to evaluate and rehabilitate disorders of language, speech, voice and swallowing. The Speech Pathologist is a key member of the team of professionals who will work with you and your child.