How to Read an Audiogram

I often say that becoming a parent of a child with hearing loss is like being drafted onto a team for a sport you’ve never played and expected to be the MVP.  Almost overnight, you’re bombarded with technical jargon, communication options, opinions, appointments, and waves of emotion.  Who wouldn’t be overwhelmed?

Dominican Republic 2011: Part II

On day two at the school, I started by learning some great new songs that I can’t wait to bring back and modify for English speakers!  Then, I observed a reading lesson.  It was very clear to me how much the teachers cared for their students, but it was equally clear that there are manyContinue reading “Dominican Republic 2011: Part II”

FM and Soundfield Systems

I want to start this post by saying that BOTH FM Systems and Soundfield Systems can be excellent options for students with hearing loss.  Both devices function to increase the signal-to-noise ratio, making the relevant signal (i.e. the teacher’s voice) louder than the noise and distraction (i.e. other children talking, chairs scraping the floor, etc.).Continue reading “FM and Soundfield Systems”

Be an Informed Consumer

Is my child receiving good services from our teacher of the deaf/SLP/AVT/early interventionist?  Well, how on earth would I know?  How can I tell “good” therapy when I see it?  How do I choose between Program A and Program B for my child?  Where do I go from here?

AG Bell 2010: Monday Concurrent Sessions

Auditory Neuropathy and Cochlear Implants: Theory and Treatment Caroline Arendt, CCC-A; University of Michigan Cochlear Implant Program Kelly Star, M.A., CCC-SLP; University of Michigan Cochlear Implant Program

AG Bell 2010: Saturday Concurrent Sessions

Essential Practices for Listening, Language, and Literacy Lyn Robertson, Ph.D.; Denison University Denise Wray, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, LSLS-Cert. AVT; University of Akron Carol Flexer, Ph.D., CCC-A, LSLS Cert. AVT; University of Akron

Costa Rica 2010: Thursday – Sunday

On Thursday, we drove to Costa Rica’s rainforest canopy. It was amazingly lush, filled with all kinds of insects and animals, and humid! At Turu Ba Ri park, we were able to ride zip lines across the canopy for an amazing view of wild Costa Rica, and take a horseback tour. While on our tour,Continue reading “Costa Rica 2010: Thursday – Sunday”

Costa Rica 2010: Tuesday

We began our trip today at Centeno, a school for deaf children in Costa Rica that uses sign language. The school is just one department on the campus of the Center for Inclusive Education in CR. I’m not so sure what they mean by “inclusive,” though, because it was a school of all deaf children,Continue reading “Costa Rica 2010: Tuesday”

Deaf Education in Costa Rica

Two weeks ago, I attended an excellent presentation on deaf education in Costa Rica.  The presenters were listening and spoken language educators, one of whom completed her training at Fontbonne in St. Louis, MO, USA.  Together with other listening and spoken language professionals in Costa Rica, they are active members of Adis, an organization dedicated to: