Sound Advice from Audiology - The Impact of Hearing Loss

 Language

Most language is learned incidentally, or through example. Direct teaching of language is sometimes necessary for children who are deaf or hard of hearing as incidental learning may not be as accessible. For verbal language, consider the child’s ability to access the speech spectrum and different listening environments. For visual language, ensure the child has access to rich examples of language in the environment. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing may require additional support to develop certain skills in spoken English. These include abstract words (before, after, equal to, etc.); understanding words that have more than one meaning; word endings that give information about tense, singular versus plural, etc., and unspoken social "rules" such as turn taking, what to say or not say and when.

The IDEAL (Indiana Deaf Education and Assessments of Language) milestones document is an excellent resource to keep in mind what language skills develop at what ages – in English and American Sign Language as well as Spanish (Español).

Articulation

Often, children who do not have sufficient auditory access to certain speech sounds have difficulty producing those sounds. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing may produce speech sounds incorrectly and/or omit certain speech sounds. Often this leads to difficulty understanding what they are saying. For children using listening and spoken language, the ability to speak so that they are able to be understood by others is necessary to communicate and connect with other people. Audibility is key to natural development of speech sounds. Specialized coaching is needed to highlight these speech sounds and teach the child to recognize and produce them properly. This training can help make their speech easier to understand.

Social-Emotional

Communication is needed to build healthy relationships. Adults must ensure that children who are deaf or hard of hearing can communicate with their family and peers. Understanding social-emotional milestones can help parents and professionals have accurate expectations. Deaf and hard of hearing children benefit from the chance to interact with other adults and children who communicate in the same way. Some children feel alone when they do not see anyone else who knows what it feels like to be deaf or hard of hearing. This can potentially lead to frustration, anger and even acting out. The opportunity to share experiences and learn from one another is helpful.

Cognitive

Missing or misunderstanding what people say can make it hard to learn new information. Children need to be able to learn to improve their reading and thinking skills. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing must have all of the same information as their hearing classmates. They may need extra time or different materials to make sure the information is clear. Sometimes, the cause of a child’s hearing loss may also cause cognitive delays. Some children have hearing loss and cognitive delays that are not related. When a child who is deaf or hard of hearing is being tested, it is important to keep their communication needs and challenges in mind.

Resources:

Central Institute for the Deaf– Considerations for choosing speech targets

Hands and Voices Parent Tip Sheets– Language and Social Development

IDEAL Parent Document– English and Spanish

Success for Kids with Hearing Loss – Impact of Hearing Loss and Speech Perception and Learning

Staff Spotlight - Rebekah Cunningham, Ph. D.

 

Rebekah Cunningham, Ph.D.

Please join us in welcoming our newest team member! 

Rebekah has been a contractor for the Center’s Deaf Education program since August 2021. She is from Indiana but spent more than a decade in Arizona before moving back to the Hoosier State in 2014. She received her doctorate in Audiology from the University of Cincinnati and her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana University and Purdue University, respectively. Cunningham has worked in many different professional settings, including hospitals, industry, and academia. She currently teaches doctor of audiology (Au.D.) students through A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. She was formerly the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program director for the state of Indiana. Her passions have always been working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing and mentoring the next generation of audiologists. She is actively involved in the American Academy of Audiology, serving on multiple task forces and committees, as well as chairing the convention and the board of directors.

FUN FACTS:

• Rebekah and her husband Bob have four children.
• Rebekah volunteers at the Humane Society of Hamilton County. She has three dogs and four cats (which may constitute an occupational hazard).
• She loves to sew and quilt.
• Rebekah loves cows, and her kitchen is cow-themed.
• Rebekah once sang the National Anthem at a Cincinnati Reds game.

Connections - Spring 2022 - Volume 7: Issue 2

 From our Director:

Join our team!

Many transitions are happening at the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education – from onboarding a new educational consultant in our deaf education program (see page 2 to learn more about Rebekah!) to changes in roles for Erika Pearson as she moves from our audiology program to Early Intervention (as an EI specialist), while others step away from their roles at the Center.

We have openings to highlight for our stakeholders– please help spread the word about these opportunities:

• Audiologist - https://workforindiana.in.gov/job-invite/269883/

• Audiology Administrative Assistant 5 - https://workforindiana.in.gov/job-invite/335569/

• Administrative Assistant 3 - https://workforindiana.in.gov/job-invite/341482/

Family & Community - Summer Camps and Events Coming Good

 

Don’t forget: The American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) is offering beginning, intermediate, and advanced ASL classes in May 2022.

 

Job Posting: Administrative Position

 

Work for Indiana

Grow your career with the State of Indiana! With more than 50 executive branch agencies, the State of Indiana is a diverse workforce offering employees stimulating and challenging projects across a broad scope of career opportunities. As a State of Indiana employee, you impact the well-being of Indiana’s communities every day.

 

At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion – Our goal is to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace, with a workforce that is representative of the State of Indiana population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to interview and to perform the essential functions of a role.

 

Next-level benefits at the State of Indiana are here! Be sure to review our expanded benefit package offerings below. Including flexible Remote work!

 

About the Indiana State Department of Health (IDOH):
The Indiana State Department of Health’s mission is to promote and provide essential public health services for a healthier and safer state.
 

Salary:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $30,082.00 per year but may be commensurate with education and/or experience.

About the Job:

The position provides administrative support to the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education, with particular focus on financial matters. This position also acts as a primary support for the Deaf Education program.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows: 

Performs a wide variety of administrative and clerical functions such as:

• Manage general CDHHE inbox, calendar and email groups
• Send out mass emails on behalf of the Center
• Document preparation, review, and revision
• Assistance with preparation for and scheduling and tracking attendance of Center meetings, including Advisory Committee, and Deaf Education working groups 
• Assisting Deaf Education program with setting up and management of database files
• Assist Deaf Education program in overseeing contract process, monitoring and collecting IEPs, audiograms and progress monitoring reports for students receiving our contractual services, saving relevant information in child files
• Organizing, tracking and ordering of office materials to ensure available for Center needs
• Assists staff with travel and continuing education requests and paperwork
• Works collaboratively with Administrative Services, Finance, Grants and other IDOH departments to ensure that work that needs to be completed receives appropriate attention and resolution
• Oversee file retention procedures- ensuring completion by each program area/file type 
• Provides back-up to other administrative assistants as needed- specifically phone and door coverage during Center hours  

Performs a wide variety of financial functions such as: 

• Manages requisitions (collecting quotes, entering reqs, overseeing approvals, ordering, logging arrival of items) 
• Facilitates budget tracking activities, including travel, continuing education and equipment/supply orders
• Manages billing related to Deaf education contracts- from collection of service time logs and service documents to invoice creation and distribution to documenting of payments 
• Communicates with Director and Finance Manager consistently regarding requisitions, travel, contract invoicing and other items involving funds
   

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.  

What You'll Need for Success:

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment: 

• Ability to establish priorities, set deadlines and manage multiple tasks related to office administration 
• Ability to analyze complex problems and make sound resolutions of problems
• Ability to anticipate problems that would create barriers to achieving goals and initiate corrective action
• Ability to listen and summarize information and express perceptions and recommendations to the director
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to the director and staff
• Ability to use Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to work well with a diverse staff 
• Strong interest in being part of a team comprised of professionals, parents and deaf and hard of hearing individuals who will work together to create exemplary statewide services and model programming for others to follow

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees which includes: 

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans.
• Wellness program (offers a premium discount for the medical plan and gift cards);
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution; 
• Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities;
• Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match; 
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options; 
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid new parent leave; 
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave;
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off; 
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years; 
• Education Reimbursement Program;
• Group life insurance; 
• Referral Bonus program;
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits; 
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program; 
• Free Parking for most positions;
• Free LinkedIn Learning access;

 

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Posting: Administrative Assistant

 

Click Photo to Apply for this position today!

The position acts in the role of Administrative Assistant for the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education in support of the Audiology program. This position also includes data entry, scheduling, and interaction with customers. 

A Day in the Life:

Provision of administrative support as assigned through activities related to audiology and Center functions including:

• Scheduling and coordination of assessments; this position acts as primary scheduling contact with parents/families for audiology appointments and includes:
• Tracking scheduled appointments (sending and documenting confirmations and reminders via phone call, text, email)
• Sending and tracking reports and related documents to assure timely delivery to appropriate entities (including appropriate documentation in database)
• Tracking communications with parents and other professionals regarding specific children in Center database
• Working closely with the assessment and audiology teams to support staff, children, families and visiting professionals during assessments and hearing evaluations
• Working knowledge of clerical procedures, specialized forms and data base programs used in performing specialized office duties, including Center database
• Gathering and preparation of child information from a variety of sources (e.g. school districts, physicians, audiologists, parents) for compilation of a child profile and previous test results as necessary to assure all information is received prior to child’s appointment
• Manage child/student records including paper and electronic files
• Initially prepare child paper folders and electronic folders in database and help maintain test data in charts 

Clerical Assistance to Audiology Coordinator

• Input Indiana First Steps billing for audiology appointments and durable medical equipment
• Process hearing aid invoices and monitor PO balances through spreadsheet

Center Concierge and initial point of contact for the Center:

• Answering the Center’s main and cell phone numbers, refer calls to appropriate staff and triages inquiries to appropriate parties/team
• Answering the EWAC door (in response to the doorbell), warmly receiving appointment and non-appointment visitors and appropriate notification of staff
• Liaison with the Pitney Bowles courier on a daily basis to ensure that mail is received and leaves the building as expected
• Monitor and assure waiting room and family room are clean and organized prior to each business day

Miscellaneous duties include but may not be limited to:

• Mail check as necessary and when notified of delivery at ISD for interdepartmental or other mail
• Process and maintain detailed paperwork and files relating to function of unit

 

What You'll Need for Success:

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment: 

• Ability to demonstrate a consistently positive, supportive demeanor towards staff and visitors
• Ability to establish priorities, set deadlines and manage multiple tasks related to the duties of the position
• Knowledge of the State systems the incumbent must interface with, such as but not limited to PeopleSoft
• Thorough understanding of FERPA and HIPPA regulations that ensure child/student rights to privacy
• Basic knowledge of the policies, programs and activities of the office and the ability to apply these to pertinent situations
• Ability to anticipate problems that would create barriers to achieving goals and initiate corrective action
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing 
• Ability to use Microsoft Office applications for office communications and for maintenance of appropriate electronic calendars
• Ability to work well with a diverse staff 
• Strong interest in being part of a team comprised of professionals, parents and deaf and hard of hearing individuals who will work together to create exemplary statewide services and model programming for others to follow

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role does not provide direct supervision to direct reports.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

• The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) and vision/dental coverages
• Wellness program (offers premiums discount for the medical plan)
• Health savings account (includes bi-weekly state contribution)
• Deferred compensation account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully funded pension plan options
• Group life insurance
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Paid vacation, personal and sick time off
• Competitive leave policies covering a variety of employee needs
• 12 company paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• New Parent Leave
• Free Parking
• Free LinkedIn Learning

 

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Family & Community

 

Navigating Special Education Today

Join us for this special four-part series that will help you understand your child's educational rights and work effectively with school personnel to maximize your child's educational opportunities.

In this webinar series, you will learn:

• What to expect in the special education process
• How an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is created
• What procedural safeguards are available to you
• Skills for effective advocacy
• How to resolve disputes 

This is a great workshop for anyone that is new to special education and a great refresher for others.

Dates: Thursdays, February 3, 10, 17 & 24
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm (Eastern)
Presenters: Cheri Dowling & Kelly Meissner
Platform: Zoom
Cost: $75*

*ASDC members, save $25 on registration. 
Email cheri@deafchildren.org to receive your discount code.
Not a member yet? Join here for $35

Our IDEAL Parent Document now includes Spanish language milestones.