Community and Professional Resources

Clinical Parent Resource Center:

The Hearing and Speech Agency’s Parent Resource Center is available to parents, families, and caregivers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have speech-language or other communication disorders who would like to learn more about health and education options.

The Parent Resource Center is located on the second floor of The Hearing and Speech Agency, 5900 Metro Drive, Baltimore, MD 21215.  For directions, please visit our home page and go to "directions." 

The Parent Resource Center was created by The Hearing and Speech Agency and supported by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Office of Genetics and Children with Special Health Care Needs.

Links:

Associations for the deaf and hard of hearing and related websites:

Website for kids with hearing loss. 

The Oberkotter Foundation

Site provides links to resources for oral deaf education programs and instruction.

The Alexander Graham Bell Association

This site is the home for the AGB Association, an international organization dedicated to the needs of individuals with deafness or hearing impairment, their families and the professionals who work in the clinical and research aspects of the discipline. 

The National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management

This site offers a state-by-state description of programs providing services under Universal Infant Hearing Screening Programs. 

Jewish Social Services Agency

Provides an array of support programs for families of all religions 

Raising Your Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child

My Baby's Hearing

Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants:

Boys Town National Research Hospital

Is my baby a candidate for a cochlear implant? 

The University of Texas at Dallas: Cochlear Implant Laboratory

Site offers demonstrations and simulations of listening with the use of cochlear implants. 

The Deafness Research Foundation

The site offers resources supported by research into deafness, cochlear implants, and educational resources 

Phonak

Manufacturer, website also provides simple explanations of hearing loss, audiograms, and how the ear works.

Advanced Bionics Corporation

Cochlear Corporation

Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

Manufacturer, website also provides simple explanations of hearing loss, audiograms, and how the ear works. 

Widex

Manufacturer, website also provides simple explanations of hearing loss, audiograms, and how the ear works. 

Med-El Medical Electronics

Inclusion Resources:

Hearsay, Inc.

This site describes services related to teaching strategies for children who are hearing impaired. This organization offers in-service training for professionals, as well as a language arts curriculum and inclusion guidelines. 

The John Tracy Clinic

The John Tracy Clinic offers academic, social, and family support for parents of children who are deaf or hearing impaired. 

Legal Issue Resources:

The Council for Exceptional Children

This site offers information and resources to enable parents to understand the special education laws and how they affect the funding of academic and related services for deaf or hearing impaired children. 

United States Department of Education: Office of Special Education and Related Services

Insight into the federal laws for special education and disability. 

National Association of Deafness: Law Center

Web site offers legal resources and support for issues relating to equal access, education, employment, and discrimination for individuals who are deaf or hearing impaired. 

Research:

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Provides information on current research into issues related to deafness, programs, and research funding opportunities. 

Other Resources

Links:

Hearing and Speech AgencyHarry and Jeanette Weinberg Building 5900 Metro Drive Baltimore, MD 21215 410.318.6780