FAVORITE QUOTES OF THE MONTH

"We should understand that it is simply impossible for hard of hearing children to utilize their residual hearing when speech signals are masked by noise and reverberation. Furthermore, the classroom acoustical conditions must be optimized whether or not children use personal or classroom amplification systems." Dr. Mark Ross, PhD, The Role of Sound: Don't Ignore the Hard of Hearing Children, 2003, [From a paper supported in part by grant#H133E980010 from United States Department of Education, NIDRR, to the Lexington Center "http://www.hearinglossresearch.org/Dr.Ross/hearingofHOHchildren.html"

FAVORITE VIDEOS,WEBSITES, AND ARTICLES THIS MONTH

The Impact of Classroom Acoustics on Scholastic Achievment, L. Sutherland, David Lubman, ( 2001)
"http://www.nonoise.org/quietnet/qc/ICA2001.htm"

"The Missing Leg For A Three-Legged Stool: Why All Benefit From The New National Standard For Classroom Acoustics" Lay Paper by David Lubman Peggy Nelson, and Lou Sutherland, Acoustical Society of America, 2004, "http://www.acoustics.org/press/147th/classroom-acoustics.htm

Calculate the REVERBERATION TIME (RT) of a child's classroom, or any room online with the Sabine Formula, just type in room dimensions and surface treatments...right now!!!!Not perfect, but a GREAT RESOURCE!!!"http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-RT60.htm"

'Families with Hard of Hearing Children' video available from Boys Town Press at 800-282-6657

There is a nice kids page with games for children with hearing loss. "www.oticon.com/"1 800-526-3921

'Classroom Acoustics Listening Vs. Learning' U.S. Architectural & Transportation Barriers Compliance Board ( The Access Board) www.accessboard.gov

Approaches to Education of Hard of Hearing Children" http://hearmemo.tripod.com/apphh.htm

Paper on Classroom Acoustics by Peggy Nelson that includes audio files! "http://www.acoustics.org/press/133rd/2paaa2.html"

Audiology Online, Information from the perspective of professional audiology. Hearing Journal Archives "www.audiologyonline.com" _____________________________________________________________________________________________________


Dear Visitor,

We would like to welcome you to the HEAR To Learn Center! We are a coalition of parents, teachers, administrators, and professionals in the fields of psychoacoustics and Audiology who are commited to listening and speaking, functionally hard of hearing children and their families. We welcome all those who advocate for children with hearing loss.

We know that over 85% of children with hearing loss are not deaf, but have mild to moderate hearing loss. We know the challenges are different. We are here to help you. If you are a parent, we want you to know you are not alone. There are millions of parents like you looking for information. If you are a teacher or audiologist, we hope to bring light to the challenges advocates experience.

We have plans in many directions, but currently, we are compiling research and materials to support advocacy for appropriate listening conditions for children in schools. "Poor acoustics or listening conditions impact what our children hear in school every minute of the day." Currently, children with hearing loss should qualify for protection under the federal laws: INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN EDUCATION ACT(IDEA), THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA), and the REHABILATATION ACT(Section 504)These laws mandate that communication be "as effective as" that offered non disabled peers. Advocates must begin to familiarize themselves with the applicable Sections. Currently standards for classroom acoustics have not yet been published in the United States, and are not yet specifically mandated by law. This can make advocacy time consuming.

We are listening to you and speaking up!

We know it is not easy to be a parent of a listening and speaking child who is functionally hard of hearing. We also know that across the nation, millions of these children are struggling to learn to listen and pay attention in school.

What our children understand or hear is variable every second of the day. A child with mild hearing loss, wearing a hearing aid might hear at 6' in a quiet classroom,

"Class, please put pencils in your desk and line up for recess."

Even with FM systems, they are missing parts of speech in reverberant classrooms. EVEN WITH SOUND SYSTEMS THESE CHILDREN ARE MISSING WHAT THEY NEED. Ironically, very few people believe what they are missing. Proving this can be discouraging.

All students are impacted by poor listening conditions. Research shows that some students are more at risk for listening difficulties in poor listening environments: students with hearing loss, learning disabilities, ESL, communication disorders, and more. Across the nation, parents are having the same experiences with asking for changes in the acoustic environments. MANY PARENTS ACROSS THE NATION ARE BEING DENIED THE RIGHT TO PROVIDE, AT NO COST TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THE LISTENING CONDITIONS FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

Across the nation, parents are struggling with the same experiences with the impact of poor acoustics on their childrens development and academic progress. We understand this struggle.

We also know that parents know more about their child than most of the professionals. We believe organizing on a national level while advocating for our functionally HOH children in the mainstream can effect change.

What Can We Do?

Begin by reading and going to the research and links pages on our site. If you have questions feel free to email us.

Go to the Acoustical Treatments page and review some of the options.
Know the child for whom you are advocating. Parents are the best resource. Parents listen to parents. Keep Copious Written Records, and keep them organized.

Sign the Petition of a Million Names: We are gathering a million names to create a legal standard for acoustical criteria in schools.

If you have questions let us know. We are listening and Speaking Up!

The Members of The HEAR To Learn Center Coalition for Education, Advocacy and Research. (formerly 'Parents Voice')