Audiology & Hearing Aids

Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:  http://www.kcdhh.ky.gov/

From the website: The KCDHH acts as an advocate for deaf and hard of hearing persons on legislative issues as well as a consultant to the Governor, General Assembly, and various state and local governmental agencies concerning policies and programs that pertain to people with hearing loss. In addition to the duties mandated by the legislature, KCDHH provides infomration, referral and advocacy services and an interpreter referral service for state agencies; KCDHH produces the Kentucky DeaFestival and the following materials: Directory of Services, Communicator, and brochures on topics of interest to deaf and hard of hearing persons and their families.  KCDHH maintains a library of books, periodicals, videotapes and compact discs, etc. which are available for research and general information.  A telecommunications access program with devices such as TDDs, amplified phones, CapTel is available for eligible deaf and hard of hearing Kentuckians.

• Cap-Tel program: http://www.kcdhh.ky.gov/oea/howapply.html
• Visor Communication cards: http://kcdhh.ky.gov/ois/visor%20card.htm

Kentucky Hands and Voices: http://www.kyhandsandvoices.org

From the website:

 Hands and Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing without bias towards communication modes or methodology.  We're parent-driven, non-profit organization providing families with the resources, networks, and information they need to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children.  Our outreach activities, parent/professsional collaboration, and advocacy efforts are focused on enabling Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children reach their highest potential.

Hearing Loss Association of America: http://www.hearingloss.org/

From the website: The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is the nation's leading organization representing people with hearing loss.  According to the National Center for Health Statistics 36 million (17%) Americans have some degree of hearing loss making it a public health issue third in line after heart disease and arthritis.

HLAA provides assistance and resources for people with hearing loss and their families to learn how to adjust to living with hearing loss.  HLAA is working to eradicate the stigma associated with hearing loss and raise public awareness about the need for prevention, treatement, and regular hearing screenings throughout life.

Kentucky School for the Deaf: http://www.ksd.k12.ky.us/

From the website:  THe Kentucky School for the Deaf ensures that deaf and hard of hearing children and youth in Kentucky have educational opportunities to develop their potential to become educated, life-long learners and productive citizens.  In partnership with families, local school districts, and other service providers, KSD functions as a statewide educational center where:

Students come first;

Teaching and learning go hand in hand;

Students learn and flourish;

Families are valued;

Hearing loss is viewed as a difference, not a deficit;

Experienced staff care;

Knowldge and experience are shared;

An equal opportunity playing field is given.

John Tracy Clinic: http://www.jtc.org/

From the website: John Tracy Clinic (JTC) provides worldwide, parent-centered services to young children (ages 0-5) with a hearing loss offering families hope, guidance and encouragement.

JTC is the leading diagnostic and education center for young children with hearing loss.  We are the largeste private provider of services to families with young children overcoming hearing loss in the world.  Our renowned audiology, education and support servcies have garnered international attention and praise.  we serve more than 25,000 each year.

Kentucky First Steps: http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/firststeps/

From the website: First Steps is a statewide early intervention system that provides servcies to children with developmental disabilities from birht to age 3 and their familes.  First Steps is Kentucky's response to the federal Infant-Toddler Program.  First Steps offers comprehensive services through a variety of community agencies and service disciplines and is adminsitered by the Department for Public Health in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Hearing Exchange: http://www.hearingexchange.com/blogs/

Informative blog with resources for individuals with hearing loss

American Academy of Audiology: http://www.audiology.org

From the website: The American Academy of Audiology is the world's larget professional organization of, by, and for audiologists.  The active membership of more than 11,000 is dedicated to providing quality hearing care services through professional development, education, research, and increased public awareness of hearing and balance disorders.

The American Academy of Audiology promotes quality hearing and balance care by advancing the profession of audiology through leadership, advocacy, education, public awareness, and support of research.

Learning Disabilities/Special Needs

National Center for Learning Disabilities: www.ncld.org

From the website: The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) works to ensure that the nation's 15 million children, adolescents, and adults with learning disabilities have every opportunity to succeed in school, work, and life.

Council for Exceptional Children: www.cec.sped.org

From the website: The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, advocates for individuals with exceptionalities and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.

Recommended Reading

The Parent's Guide to Speech and Language Problems –Debbie Feit

Publisher’s description: Your definitive guide for helping your speech-impaired child--cowritten by two in-the-trenches
experts.

When a child has communication problems – diagnosed or not – parents are first looking for a place to go for help. The Parent’s Guide to Speech and Language Problems is a one-stop resource, offering not just the most up-to-date medical information but also advice and encouragement from a mom who’s been there. Author Debbie Feit has two children with speech problems and knows what it takes to survive and thrive day-to-day as a family. No other book on the market can match this one for its combination of clinical research and real-world, hands-on parenting solutions.

The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorders – Carol Kranowitz
and Lucy Jane Miller

Publisher’s description: The Out-of-Sync Child broke new ground by identifying Sensory Processing Disorder, a common but frequently misdiagnosed problem in which the central nervous system misinterprets messages from the senses. This newly revised edition features additional information from recent research on vision and hearing deficits, motor skill problems, nutrition and picky eaters, ADHA, autism and other related disorders.