102 STAT. 3050

Research and
development.

42 USC 285m-2.

42 USC 285m-3.

PUBLIC LAW 100-607—NOV. 4,1988

"(3) research into prevention, and early detection and diag-
nosis, of hearing loss and speech and language disturbances
(including stuttering) and research into preventing the effects of
such disorders on learning and learning disabilities with exten-
sion of programs for appropriate referral and rehabilitation;

"(4) research into the detection, treatment, and prevention of
disorders of hearing and other communication processes in the
growing elderly population with extension of rehabilitative pro-
grams to ensure continued effective communication skills in
such population;

"(5) research to expand knowledge of the effects of environ-
mental agents that influence hearing or other communication
processes; and

"(6) developing and facilitating intramural programs on clini-
cal and fundamental aspects of disorders of hearing and all
other communication processes.

"DATA SYSTEM AND INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE

"SEC. 464B. (a) The Director of the Institute shall establish a
National Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Data
System for the collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and dissemina-
tion of data derived from patient populations with disorders of
hearing or other communication processes, including where pos-
sible, data involving general populations for the purpose of identify-
ing individuals at risk of developing such disorders.

r'(b) The Director of the Institute shall establish a National Deaf-
ness and Other Communication Disorders Information Clearing-
house to facilitate and enhance, through the effective dissemination
of information, knowledge and understanding of disorders of hear-
ing and other communication processes by health professionals,
patients, industry, and the public.

"MULTIPURPOSE DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

CENTER

"SEC. 464C. (a) The Director of the Institute shall, after consulta-
tion with the advisory council for the Institute, provide for the
development, modernization, and operation (including care required
for research) of new and existing centers for studies of disorders of
hearing and other communication processes. For purposes of this
section, the term 'modernization' means the alteration, remodeling,
improvement, expansion, and repair of existing buildings and the
provision of equipment for such buildings to the extent necessary to
make them suitable for use as centers described in the preceding
sentence.
"(b) Each center assisted under this section shall—

"(1) use the facilities of a single institution or a consortium of
cooperating institutions; and

"(2) meet such qualifications as may be prescribed by the
Secretary.

"(c) Each center assisted under this section shall, at least,
conduct—

"(1) basic and clinical research into the cause, diagnosis, early
detection, prevention, control and treatment of disorders of
hearing and other communication processes and complications
resulting from such disorders, including research into rehabili-