Helpful Links*

The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), founded in 1976, provides valuable resources to the private practitioner in audiology and to other audiology professionals who have responsibility for quality patient care and business operations. ADA strives to be the leader for audiologists in private practice in professional development, high ethical standards, career enhancement, practice improvement, and student outreach.

The Academy for Listening and Spoken Language is an independent subsidiary of The Alexander Bell Association. Their mission is aimed at advancing listening and talking through standards of excellence and international certification of professionals. The Listening and Spoken Language Specialist Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist (LSLS Cert. AVT) provides individual auditory-verbal therapy with children and their parent(s) or caregiver(s). The Listening and Spoken Language Specialist Certified Auditory-Verbal Educator (LSLS Cert. and AVEd) are professionals who provide auditory-verbal education services in a group environment in which a parent may or may not be present.

The only US cochlear implant manufacturer; a leading innovator of bionic devices for people with hearing loss and neurological disorders. AB sponsors the Hearing Journey, ™ (hearingjourney.com) an online forum and community for cochlear implant recipients to chat, laugh, learn, and share stories.

Deaf and hearing-impaired individuals experience the same mental health concerns as hearing individuals. Deaf and hearing-impaired people can often have a hard time finding equitable access to mental health services.  We have created a directory that will aid the Deaf and hearing-impaired with treatment centers that deal with mental health and addiction. 

The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) helps families, health care providers, and education professionals understand childhood hearing loss and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. Through advocacy, education, research, and financial aid, AG Bell helps to ensure that every child and adult with hearing loss has the opportunity to listen, talk, and thrive. With chapters located throughout the United States and a network of international affiliates, AG Bell supports its mission: advocating independence through listening and talking. AG Bell wants all families to be informed and supported, professionals to be appropriately qualified to teach and help children with hearing loss, public policy leaders to effectively address the needs of people with hearing loss, and communities to be empowered to help their neighbors with hearing loss succeed.

With more than 14,000 members, the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) is the world’s largest professional organization of, by, and for audiologists. Dedicated to providing quality hearing care to the public, AAA enhances the ability of its members to achieve career and practice objectives through professional development, education, research, and increased public awareness of hearing and balance disorders and audiologic services. AAA provides leaflets, brochures and educational materials for the public (some are available in Spanish) as well as a “Find An Audiologist” listing of their members on their website by city, state and specialty interest.

As the non-profit arm of the American Academy of Audiology, the AAA Foundation serves to raise public awareness for audiologists and the audiology profession. The AAA Foundation sponsors scholarships and awards for students and professionals as well as lectures and research grants.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) is the world’s largest organization representing medical specialists (otolaryngologists) who treat disorders of ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The Academy represents more than 12,000 otolaryngologists. The (AAO-HNS) strives to unite, serve, and represent the interests of ear, nose, and throat medical specialists and their patients to the public, government, other medical specialists, and related organizations. AAO-HNS provides leaflets and geographic lists of physicians and to the public (some are available in Spanish).

The mission of AAS is to promote the translation of scientific discovery to clinical practice in hearing and balance disorders through multi-disciplinary interaction among members in clinical care, research, engineering and industry. To pursue this mission, the society coordinates and disseminates information through an annual meeting and other scientific communications for the advancement of research, education and practice. The ASA vision is to transform hearing and balance healthcare through novel scientific discovery.

The American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) supports and educates families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children, and advocates for high-quality programs and services. This parent-helping-parent organization provides support, encouragement, and information to families raising children with hearing loss. The staff is often able to refer callers to knowledgeable individuals who live or work nearby to foster networking on a local level.

The mission of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is to promote the interests of and provide the highest quality services for professionals in audiology, speech-language pathology, and speech and hearing science, and to advocate for people with communication disabilities. Professional brochures/pamphlets, journals, and professional/consumer online publications are available. Some materials are available in Spanish.

Established in 1971, The ATA exists to find a cure for tinnitus and hyperacousis through the development of resources that advance tinnitus research. ATA funds scientific research and advocates for additional government support of tinnitus research. The ATA funds targeted research projects, provides education, hope and support for the tinnitus community, advocates for effective public policies focused on advancing science towards cures for tinnitus and hyperacusis; and collaborates with others to promote awareness, encourage prevention and to ultimately silence tinnitus. ATA offers informational resources to help people understand tinnitus and locate treatment centers. The ATA published a news magazine, Tinnitus Today, 3 times per year.

BEGINNINGS for Parents of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Inc., (BEGINNINGS) provide support and information in an impartial manner to parents and professionals dealing with deaf and hard-of-hearing issues in children. Located in North Carolina, BEGINNINGS provides impartial information on communication options, placement, and educational programs; workshops for professional personnel who work with children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing; and advocacy and support for young people. Fact sheets, brochures, a parent manual, and reports are available, with some materials in Spanish.

Baby Hearing is a web site associated with The Boys Town National Research Hospital (BTNRH) of Omaha, Nebraska. The web site provides information on pediatric hearing loss and early intervention. Information is provided about newborn hearing screening, hearing devices, language and learning, parenting support, and resources for professionals. The audiology clinic at BTNRH is internationally recognized for clinical service and research into the treatment of childhood deafness and communication disorders. Their research interests include neurobiological studies of hearing; hereditary communication disorders; and clinical, educational, and behavioral studies of human communication.

CaptionCall by Sorenson is a no-cost closed caption telephone service. It comes with an interactive screen for closed captions so that conversation can be read in real time. Sorenson’s Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) uses video for American Sign Language and British Sign Language conversation and interpreting. This technology has modernized the way people who are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communicate. There is no cost for people who qualify with hearing loss or deafness.

Founded in 1914, the Central Institute for the Deaf (CID) is a nonprofit organization that helps deaf children learn to speak, listen, and read with proficiency without the use of sign language. CID provides pediatric audiology; research collaborations; continuing education workshops for professionals; and books, tests, and curricula used to help deaf children throughout the world. CID has a proud history of training professionals and conducting pioneering educational, clinical, and biological research in hearing and deafness. CID is a financially independent affiliate of the Washington University School of Medicine.

The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center. The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center is located on campus at Gallaudet University. It is a federally funded center with exemplary elementary and secondary education programs for deaf and hard of hearing students. The Center is tasked with developing and disseminating innovative curricula, instructional techniques, and products nationwide while providing information, training and technical assistance for parents and professionals.

Provides products, information, solutions, services and helpful resources to aid in telecommunications and computer accessibility for the deaf.

Cochlear Limited launched the world’s first cochlear implant system more than 30 years ago. Founded in Australia, Cochlear Americas is the company’s US Headquarters. This manufacturer of cochlear implants is committed to enhancing the ability to hear sound and understand speech, improving learning capabilities and quality of life for those with hearing loss.

The mission of the Cochlear Implant Awareness Foundation is to raise awareness of how cochlear implants restore sound to the hearing impaired and to provide cochlear implant equipment to qualified applicants in need. Established in 2005, the CIAF is a non-profit organization based in Springfield, IL. The CIAF partners with Advanced Bionics and Cochlear Americas.

The Dangerous Decibels project is a public health campaign designed to reduce the incidence and prevalence of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and tinnitus (ringing in the ear) by changing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of school-aged children. The project is built upon an innovative collaboration between basic science researchers, clinicians, museum educators, health communication experts, civic leaders, teachers, public health professionals, and volunteers in a unique public/private partnership.

The mission of this organization is to promote and advocate for the rights of full access to American Sign Language and English, education, employment, and cultural identity of, by, for, and with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened, and DeafBlind people. DCARA provides the hearing community with information about the Deaf community and working and living with persons who are deaf, deaf-blind, deafened and hard of hearing.

The Educational Audiology Association is an international organization of audiologists and related professionals who deliver a full spectrum of hearing services to all children, particularly those in educational settings. The mission of the Educational Audiology Association is to act as the primary resource and as an active advocate for its members through its publications and products, continuing educational activities, networking opportunities, and other professional endeavors. This professional organization supports educational services to students with hearing loss and/or auditory processing disorders.

Gallaudet University is located in the heart of Washington DC within sight of the nation’s capital building, Gallaudet is an internationally known university as a bilingual, diverse, multicultural institution of higher education that awards a full complement of undergraduate and graduate degrees. The University is dedicated to the intellectual and professional advancement of deaf and hard-of- hearing individuals through American Sign Language and spoken English. Gallaudet University is a federal institution and maintains a proud tradition of research and scholarly activity and prepares its graduates for career opportunities in a highly competitive, technological, and rapidly changing world.

Founded in 2009, The Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss aims to make a direct and lasting impact on the futures of children who are deaf or hard of hearing around the world by providing them access to early identification, hearing technology, and locally-based expertise as needed to reach their full potential. GFHLC works with local partners in the global community to identify and address gaps in the system of support across health care and early education for young children with hearing loss.  GFCHL provides training programs, hearing technology, awareness campaigns, and helps develop and implement systems and processes designed to benefit children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families.

HARC Mercantile is a service-oriented organization that provides accessibility solutions and assistive communication help for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons. HARC Mercantile offers a wide range of products by mail order or store visit including telephone and TTY systems, assistive listening devices, signaling devices, hearing aid accessories and speech aids.

Healthy Hearing maintains a large directory of hearing clinics and professionals to connect people with hearing loss to high-quality hearing care across the US. Their web site posts of articles and consumer guides, educational videos, commonly asked questions, ensuring that all information on healthy hearing is timely, accurate and consistent. Our goal is to provide high quality comprehensive content that is easily understandable.

HHF is the largest nonprofit funder of hearing and balance research in the United States. For 65 years and counting, HHF has awarded scientific research grants to foster the development of cochlear implant technology, more effective hearing aids and successful ear surgeries, and ultimately a cure for hearing loss which affects nearly 50 million Americans. HHF partners with and funds innovative scientists who work to prevent, treat, and ultimately cure hearing loss, tinnitus, and other hearing and balance related conditions. An informative website promotes hearing health, blogs from hearing impaired people, with a focus on the importance of protection to prevent hearing problems.

The Hearing Industries Association (HIA) was formed in 1955 and serves as a forum for hearing aid manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and hearing health professionals. Our members are responsible for the majority of the over 4 million hearing aids that are purchased in the United States on an annual basis. Today, HIA remains the only association in America to represent hearing aid technology. The Association provides member companies a unique platform to communicate on hearing health and technology issues.

Web site sponsored by the US Centers on Disease Control and Prevention from the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. A comprehensive compilation of information about hearing loss in children including developmental milestones, guides for parents and information for families. Professionals will find information on early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) including national data and statistics by state.

Hear-More is an on-line internet company that sells all types of independent living products and assistive communication products for deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Products include alarm clocks, amplified telephones, vibrating watches, books, videos, TTYs/TTDs.

This organization advocates and is politically active on behalf of persons with hearing loss. They provide information and support for people who are hearing impaired and their families. There are many local chapters. Contact the national organization to see if there is a chapter in your area.

With a strong history for the past 75 years, the John Tracy Center offers comprehensive services for young children and teenagers with hearing loss, from birth through 17 years of age, and their parents. The Center specializes in spoken language development. JTC helps parents to optimize their children’s future communications success in the hearing world. Courses are available and graduate education is offered through affiliate relationship with Mount St. Mary’s University for the education specialist for deaf and hard of hearing. A newsletter, fact sheets, brochures, pamphlets, and online publications are available. Most materials are also available in Spanish.

The Marion Downs Center, located in Denver, CO, provides resources, education, clinical services and research to support the needs of individuals who are deaf and hard-of-hearing, their families, the community and hearing health professionals. The Marion Downs Center values individual and family rights in communication and technology choices, and strives to optimize the quality of life for all it serves. The Center features Marion’s Way summer program for hearing-impaired preschoolers. Clinical services include educational activities, language and speech therapy as well as audiological and hearing aids.

MED-EL is a global technology company that develops and manufactures implantable hearing systems. These include cochlear implants, middle ear implants, bone conduction hearing implants, electric acoustic stimulation hearing implant systems and auditory brainstem implants. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Innsbruck, Austria. MED-EL is a medical technology company pioneering cochlear implants technology and research to benefit individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss.

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the nation’s largest civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States. Established in 1880, the NAD was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level. The advocacy scope of the NAD is broad, covering areas of early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and more – improving the lives of millions of deaf and hard of hearing Americans. The NAD includes the Center for Law and the Deaf to provide legal services and information regarding the civil rights of people who have hearing loss.

The National Deaf Center’s mission is to close the substantial gaps in education and employment that exist for deaf people in the United States and its territories. We are a technical assistance and dissemination center federally funded by the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to provide evidence-based strategies at the local, state, and national levels.

The National Center on Deafness (NCOD) is housed on the campus of California State University, Northridge. Established in 1962, NCOD was the first postsecondary program in the nation to provide paid professional sign language interpreters for deaf and hard-of-hearing students as well as captioning services as requested. The program has grown to be the largest of its type in the western United States, serving approximately 150 students who are deaf and hard-of-hearing each year. NCOD provides communication access, leadership opportunities, scholarships and direct communication classes.

This organization advocates for the use of cued speech and supports effective communication, language development and literacy through the use of cued speech. The National Cued Speech Association supports effective communication, language development (international languages) and literacy in families with deaf, hard of hearing or learning-disabled infants, children and youth through the use of Cued Speech. The web site provides background and educational information on cued speech.

The mission of this membership organization is to prevent hearing loss due to noise and other environmental factors in all sectors of society. The Association provides forums where professionals with similar interests can share information and gain increased insights regarding occupational hearing conservation.

www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), within the National Institutes of Health, supports and conducts research and research training on the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language. The NIDCD develops health information based on scientific discovery and disseminates it to the public. The NIDCD is an information clearinghouse and provides fact sheets, brochures, teaching curricula, and reports. Many of these reference materials are available in Spanish.

The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), a college of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), is the world’s first and largest technological college for students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. NTID offers associate degrees in more than 30 technological and professional programs as well as bachelor’s or master’s degrees in more than 200 programs offered by RIT’s seven other colleges. NTID also is home to the Center for Hearing and Speech Research, which conducts research in age-related hearing loss. A professional journal, other publications, and computer software/assisted education are available.

The Oberkotter Foundation supports families who have chosen listening and spoken language for their child and on opportunities for children learning listening and spoken language to develop their social, emotional, language, literacy and educational skills. To produce the best outcomes and to capitalize on the critical stages of cognitive and language development, we believe that families must have access to comprehensive information and quality services as quickly as possible between birth and age five.

Founded in 1978, Paragon Service Dogs has placed more than 1,400 custom-trained hearing service dogs. Hearing service dogs provide external awareness and improve the quality of life for deaf and hearing-impaired persons. The dogs serve as professional aides, trusted partners, and loyal companions.

The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) provides international, national, regional, state, and local forums for the continued growth and development of the profession of interpretation and transliteration of American Sign Language and English. RID hosts a clearinghouse for information about raising and educating deaf children. Visitors to the site can access online resources and post questions to be answered by experts in the field. RID hosts a biennial conference and provides a professional journal, newsletter, directory, fact sheets, brochures, and books about American Sign Language.

Sign Media is a producer of videotape and print materials on American Sign Language and Deaf Culture. SMI is an on-line supplier of videos founded in 1979 as a venture to produce “state-of-the-art” videotape materials for learning and teaching American Sign Language. Sign Media has produced over 350 video titles covering virtually all aspects of American Sign Language and the American Deaf Community including Sign Language Instruction, Interpreter Education, American Deaf Culture, Entertainment, and ASL Translations or Synopses of material published in English.

Signing Exact English (S.E.E.) is a sign language system that represents literal English. It is a tool to make visible everything that is not heard. Since American Sign Language (ASL) has different vocabulary, idioms, and syntax from English, SEE modifies and supplements the vocabulary of ASL so children/students can see clearly what is said in English.  This center provides information for parents and professionals on Signing Exact English (SEE II). They provide a telephone information service, a parent information packet and SEE educational materials.

Each state has a licensure board for medical specialists, audiologists, and hearing aid specialists. Contact your local hearing aid licensing board for more information about practicing hearing professionals and the associated consumer protection laws in your state.

Contact your state Department of Health, Director of Speech and Hearing or the Maternal and Child Health Director for information on statewide infant and school-based hearing screening programs.

This website provides information on closed captioning and other hearing assistance technologies. Information is provided on how closed captioning works, the benefits of captioning, the FCC regulatory background and qualifications for exemptions.