Every parent needs to know the status of their baby’s hearing first. Because when parents know what is possible and take action quickly, the sky is the limit.
Since its founding in 1985, the Oberkotter Foundation has seen firsthand what is possible for children who are deaf or hard of hearing when parents are equipped with complete information and professionals are empowered to support families as they navigate their journey towards positive Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) outcomes.
How do we know? We have met babies with hearing loss and talked with their families; watched them grow up and make friends in mainstream schools; and seen them succeed in their careers and reach their goals. We know that is not just possible but probable for children who are deaf or hard of hearing to learn to listen, talk, read, and thrive—just like their hearing friends.
The Oberkotter Foundation launched Hearing First in 2015 as a new virtual model to help create a future in which all children who are deaf or hard of hearing—regardless of their hearing status, zip code, or economic circumstance—have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Hearing First seeks to improve LSL outcomes for children with hearing loss by connecting directly with the parents, caregivers, and hearing healthcare professionals in a child’s life.
Today, Hearing First remains true to that vision by reaching families and professionals with evidence-based information, embodying a shared commitment with the Oberkotter Foundation in supporting children with hearing loss to learn to listen and talk. Entirely online and completely free, Hearing First represents a new approach to moving the needle and helping children with hearing loss develop age-appropriate listening, talking, and literacy skills by educating parents and professionals.
Awareness, education, and community serve as the pillars for Hearing First to improve LSL outcomes for children with hearing loss. Hearing First equips and empowers parents and professionals with the right information, in the right format, and at the right time by providing:
LSL Life—a moving docuseries from Hearing First—showcases real-life examples of how parents are helping their children with hearing loss do it all. See how these families on the LSL journey have supported their child to learn to listen, talk, read, and thrive.
For children with hearing loss, the first days, weeks, and months of life are critical to ensure the earliest possible access to sound; and we know that families need support every step of the way once hearing loss has been identified. That’s why Hearing First offers support and education for families during this period and all along their journey of raising a child who is deaf or hard of hearing. Hearing First is there for families when they need information, a resource, a word of encouragement, or a connection with another family.
Families can take free webinars to better understand their child’s hearing loss and technology, and learn what it takes to develop strong listening, talking, and literacy skills. The Hearing First YouTube channel provides helpful tips and encouraging words of support for families. A resource library filled with articles, handouts, booklists, infographics, and more helps families learn what they can do to help their child develop strong listening and talking skills.
With the Family Support Community and the private Facebook group “Families of Children with Hearing Loss,” Hearing First offers safe online spaces for families to connect to answer questions, share their stories, empathize during challenges, and celebrate the successes along their journey. These spaces help families find connection, community, and comfort in knowing they’re not alone.
“I am very grateful for all the wonderful resources available for our dear children with hearing loss. There are so many helpful technologies, strategies, and therapies to help our little ones. Not to mention this wonderful website and the community it provides — a true brain trust of expertise on children with hearing loss! I have found encouragement, help, knowledge, and support here!”Katie M., Mom
Improving outcomes for children with hearing loss starts with ensuring the professionals who serve them are well-versed in today’s research-backed information, industry knowledge, and best practices in pediatric audiology and LSL intervention. Between free online learning and a community of more than 10,000 hearing healthcare professionals, Hearing First provides opportunities for professionals to take their practice to the next level, stay on the forefront of innovation, and guide and coach families through every step of their journey.
The Hearing First learning experiences remove the barriers to accessing practical protocols and research-based information on LSL intervention, pediatric audiology, hearing technology, coordinated care, and more. Professionals can earn continuing education credits from the American Academy of Audiology (AAA), Alexander Graham Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language® (AG Bell), and the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA).
The professional learning community is a private, safe space where professionals can connect to find answers to pediatric audiology and LSL questions. By connecting thousands of professionals in the field to share techniques, strategies, resources, and support, members can expand their knowledge quickly and easily.
“Hearing First learning experiences offer an unbelievable opportunity to level up your knowledge, learning from the best in our field, whether you’re beginning or advanced, to engage with others to problem solve in our professional community, and return again and again for resources that are always available! And all of this is FREE! Hearing First is amazing!”Mary M., LSLS Cert. AVT
