Updated: May 15, 2004

Investigators:

Matthew Bakke, Ph.D.
Karen Frohrig

Purpose of this study:

To assist SHHH in establishing a new national program, the National Information and Training Center for Hearing Assistive Technology, for the purpose of providing information and training at a national level. This new Center will provide accessible information about HT to hard-of-hearing people and to other members of the public.

Project Description:

The RERC will participate in this Center's activities by conducting one three-day training program each year to train hard-of-hearing consumers. Training topics will include:

current information about various HT;
the best procedures for assisting people with hearing loss in learning about and accepting the use of HT;
strategies for effective advocacy; and
information about resources for obtaining HT.

Thereafter, these consumer-trainers will:

conduct presentations about HT to consumers with hearing loss, hearing health care professionals and vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors;
train other people who are members of grass roots hearing loss organizations to serve as resources about HT within their local chapters or organizations;
work with their state's assistive technology (AT) programs to enhance their offerings to people with hearing loss.

For more information, contact Matthew Bakke, Ph.D.