The Hearing Foundation of Canada* -
Announces Plans and Funding to Help Deaf, Deafened and Hard of Hearing Canadians.
Courtesy of the Hearing Foundation of Canada
May 16, 2000
For the first time in Canada, new parents will have access to a video to help them understand the importance of infant hearing screening, courtesy of The Hearing Foundation of Canada. Early detection is critical in reducing the detrimental effects of hearing loss on the development of a child's speech, language as well as social and educational success.
As announced today, the video is a joint effort of Dalhousie's School of Human Communication Disorders, Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Clinic and the Auditory Research Program of The University of Calgary headed by Drs. David Brown and Joseph Dort. The project was initiated by Dalhousie University School of Human Communication Disorders Audiology Students Carrie Tobolski and Cyne Johnston. This is the first of many funding projects to be announced shortly by The Hearing Foundation of Canada.
It is estimated that as many as six in every 1000 babies are born with hearing loss. It is important to detect hearing loss as early as possible since speech and language development occurs primarily during the first three years of life, with the first 6 months being especially crucial.
Parents are often reluctant or resistant to put their newborn infant through a procedure if they do not understand what is being done or how it is accomplished. The video will be used to inform parents at prenatal classes or in birthing centers on closed circuit information channels so that they may understand the importance of screening and to increase their comfort level with the test procedures and results.
The Foundation, which has changed its name from The Canadian Hearing Society Foundation to The Hearing Foundation of Canada, has published the first-ever national public awareness information report as part of Speech and Hearing Awareness Month across Canada. This newspaper supplement is an integral piece of a public awareness campaign on hearing loss and its profound effects on the lives and work of more than three million Canadians.
With a new name and a new logo, The Hearing Foundation of Canada announces today it will embark on more ambitious initiatives to raise greater awareness and funds for programs and services for organizations who serve deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing children, adults and seniors from coast to coast.
President of the Board of Directors for the new foundation, Denis Piquette, says, "The new direction means The Foundation will go further in funding more organizations who provide programs and services for the deaf, deafened and hard of hearing across Canada. We will also now be expanding our support into research into hearing loss."
"What we've been able to do in just a few short months has been quite exciting, the video for infant screening will be of tremendous reassurance for new parents," says Piquette.
Formerly known as The Canadian Hearing Society Foundation, the organization has raised more than $22 million over its 21-year history.
* Formerly, The Canadian Hearing Society Foundation
| 