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The CDC did a great job with this one. This is the go-to for treatments, interventions, services, and more.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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No single treatment or intervention is the answer for every child or family. Good intervention plans will include close monitoring, follow-ups and any changes needed along the way. There are many different options for children with hearing loss and their families.

Some of the treatment and intervention options include:

Working with a professional (or team) who can help a child and family learn to communicate.

Getting a hearing device, such as a hearing aid.

Joining support groups.

Taking advantage of other resources available to children with a hearing loss and their families.

Early Intervention and Special Education

Early Intervention (0-3 years)

Hearing loss can affect a child's ability to develop speech, language, and social skills. The earlier a child who is deaf or hard-of-hearing starts getting services, the more likely the child's speech, language, and social skills will reach their full potential.

Early intervention program services help young children with hearing loss learn language skills and other important skills. Research shows that early intervention services can greatly improve a child's development.

Babies that are diagnosed with hearing loss should begin to get intervention services as soon as possible, but no later than 6 months of age.

There are many services available through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act 2004 (IDEA 2004). Services for children from birth through 36 months of age are called Early Intervention or Part C services. Even if your child has not been diagnosed with a hearing loss, he or she may be eligible for early intervention treatment services. The IDEA 2004 says that children under the age of 3 years (36 months) who are at risk of having developmental delays may be eligible for services. These services are provided through an early intervention system in your state. Through this system, you can ask for an evaluation.

Special Education (3-22 years)

Special education is instruction specifically designed to address the educational and related developmental needs of older children with disabilities, or those who are experiencing developmental delays. Services for these children are provided through the public school system. These services are available through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act 2004 (IDEA 2004), Part B.

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program

Every state has an Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program. EHDI works to identify infants and children with hearing loss. EHDI also promotes timely follow-up testing and services or interventions for any family whose child has a hearing loss. If your child has a hearing loss or if you have any concerns about your child's hearing, call toll free 1-800-CDC-INFO or contact your local EHDI Program coordinator to find available services in your state.

Technology

Many people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing have some hearing. The amount of hearing a deaf or hard-of-hearing person has is called "residual hearing". Technology does not "cure" hearing loss, but may help a child with hearing loss to make the most of their residual hearing. For those parents who choose to have their child use technology, there are many options, including:

Hearing aids

Cochlear or brainstem implants

Bone-anchored hearing aids

Other assistive devices

Hearing Aids

Hearing aids make sounds louder. They can be worn by people of any age, including infants. Babies with hearing loss may understand sounds better using hearing aids. This may give them the chance to learn speech skills at a young age.

There are many styles of hearing aids. They can help many types of hearing losses. A young child is usually fitted with behind-the-ear style hearing aids because they are better suited to growing ears.

Cochlear and Auditory Brainstem Implants

A cochlear implant may help many children with severe to profound hearing loss - even very young children. It gives that child a way to hear when a hearing aid is not enough. Unlike a hearing aid, cochlear implants do not make sounds louder. A cochlear implant sends sound signals directly to the hearing nerve.

Persons with severe to profound hearing loss due to an absent or very small hearing nerve or severely abnormal inner ear (cochlea), may not benefit from a hearing aid or cochlear implant. Instead an auditory brainstem implant may provide some hearing. An auditory brainstem implant directly stimulates the hearing pathways in the brainstem, bypassing the inner ear and hearing nerve.

Both cochlear and brainstem implants have two main parts. There are the parts that are placed inside the inner ear, the cochlea, or base of the brain, the brainstem during surgery; and the parts outside the ear that send sounds to the parts inside the ear.

Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids

This type of hearing aid can be considered when a child has either a conductive, mixed or unilateral hearing loss and is specifically suitable for children who cannot otherwise wear 'in the ear' or 'behind the ear' hearing aids.

Other Assistive Devices

Besides hearing aids, there are other devices that help people with hearing loss. Following are some examples of other assistive devices:

FM System
An FM system is a kind of device that helps people with hearing loss hear in background noise. FM stands forfrequency modulation. It is the same type of signal used for radios. FM systems send sound from a microphone used by someone speaking to a person wearing the receiver. This system is sometimes used with hearing aids. An extra piece is attached to the hearing aid that works with the FM system.

Captioning
Many television programs, videos, and DVDs are captioned. Television sets made after 1993 are made to show the captioning. You don't have to buy anything special. Captions show the conversation spoken in soundtrack of a program on the bottom of the television screen.

Other devices
There are many other devices available for children with hearing loss. Some of these include:

Text messaging

Telephone amplifiers

Flashing and vibrating alarms

Audio loop systems

Infrared listening devices

Portable sound amplifiers

TTY (Text Telephone or teletypewriter)

Medical and Surgical

Medications or surgery may also help make the most of a person's hearing. This is especially true for a conductive hearing loss, or one that involves a part of the outer or middle ear that is not working in the usual way.

One type of conductive hearing loss can be caused by a chronic ear infection. A chronic ear infection is a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum in the middle ear space. Most ear infections are managed with medication or careful monitoring. Infections that don't go away with medication can be treated with a simple surgery that involves putting a tiny tube into the eardrum to drain the fluid out.

Another type of conductive hearing loss is caused by either the outer and or middle ear not forming correctly while the baby was growing in the mother's womb. Both the outer and middle ear need to work together in order for sound to be sent correctly to the inner ear. If any of these parts did not form correctly, there might be a hearing loss in that ear. This problem may be improved and perhaps even corrected with surgery. An ear, nose, and throat doctor (otolaryngologist) is the health care professional who usually takes care of this problem.

Placing a cochlear implant, auditory brainstem implant, or bone-anchored hearing aid will also require a surgery.

Learning Language

Without extra help, children with hearing loss have problems learning language. These children can then be at risk for other delays. Families who have children with hearing loss often need to change their communication habits or learn special skills (such as sign language) to help their children learn language. These skills can be used together with hearing aids, cochlear or auditory brainstem implants, and other devices that help children hear.
Read about learning language
Family Support Services

For many parents, their child's hearing loss is unexpected. Parents sometimes need time and support to adapt to the child's hearing loss.

Parents of children with recently identified hearing loss can seek different kinds of support. Support is anything that helps a family and may include advice, information, having the chance to get to know other parents that have a child with hearing loss, locating a deaf mentor, finding childcare or transportation, giving parents time for personal relaxation or just a supportive listener.

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early hearing detection and intervention

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Hearing Loss Treatment and Intervention Services | CDC

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No single treatment or intervention is the answer for every child or family. Good intervention plans will include close monitoring, follow-ups and any changes needed along the way.

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Did you know that GCSC offers American Sign Language (ASL) courses?! Find out more information on this page and even dates to sign up.

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Embark on a journey to master the art of American Sign Language (ASL) and unlock the power of communication with the help of our comprehensive program!

In this sign language course, you will learn to skillfully fingerspell, master an array of signs, and confidently engage in conversations using phrases and full sentences. Silent instructional videos throughout the sign language training course provide an immersion in the Deaf experience to showcase proper sign techniques, highlight the importance of facial expressions, and develop fluency for meaningful conversations in this elegant and expressive language.

Whether you are interested in learning sign language for personal or professional reasons, our course is perfectly designed to provide a convenient and effective way to achieve your goals. Learn sign language online today!

6 Weeks Access / 24 Course Hrs

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This beginner sign language course will prepare you to learn sign language for use in a personal or professional setting. Enroll today!

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National Deaf Center Resource Center that has many different links and information to services, research & data, awareness, accommodations and Laws, etc.

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Resources Overview Toolkits Back to School Guides Find guides, templates, overviews, publications, videos and more. Our resources are developed by experts, covering a variety of topics to support evidence-based practices in postsecondary outcomes for deaf individuals. Video description Starting a new school year, while exciting, can also be uncertain.

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Deaf Success: Guide for Families, Parents, and Students

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Deaf Success: Guide for Families, Parents, and Students

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This was created in Fall of 2020. It is a video guide to help the families, parents, and students be successful in their journey with deafness.

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Deaf Success in Fall 2020: Guide for Families, Parents, and Students

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Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

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Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

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The Coordinating Council is a resource for deaf and hard of hearing Floridians who need assistance with everyday needs including employment, education and access to services.

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Welcome to the Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing website, (FCCDHH)

Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, hereafter referred to as the "Coordinating Council" is mandated by Section 413.271 Florida Statutes to serve as an advisory and coordinating body which recommends policies that address the needs of Florida's deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened and deaf-blind (hereafter referred to collectively as "hearing loss") community.

The Coordinating Council is a resource for deaf and hard of hearing Floridians who need assistance with everyday needs including employment, education and access to services. The Coordinating Council is dedicated to assisting the nearly 3 million Floridians affected by hearing loss through providing technical assistance and resources to individuals, governmental agencies, private and public organizations.

The Coordinating Council's technical assistance allows both public and private entities to better and more efficiently serve persons with hearing loss and their families. This information can also help those entities avoid costly and unnecessary litigation resulting from violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other laws and statutes that provide for protection of civil rights.

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florida coordinating council for the deaf and hard of hearing

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Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

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Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, hereafter referred to as the "Coordinating Council" is mandated by Section 413.271 Florida Statutes to serve as an advisory and coordinating body which recommends policies that address the needs of Florida's deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened and deaf-blind (hereafter referred to collectively as "hearing loss") community.

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There are different types of deafness. This article goes in-depth on the ear, how the ear works, and how hearing loss occurs.

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Deafness, or hearing loss, happens when one or more parts of the ear aren't working effectively. To understand this, it's useful to know how the ear works.

The ear and how it works

The ear has two main functions.

1. It receives sound and converts it into signals that the brain can understand.

2. It helps us to balance.

The two functions are closely related.
Diagram of the ear
The ear is the first part of the hearing system. The outside part of the ear (pinna) catches sound waves and directs them down the ear canal. The waves then cause the eardrum to vibrate.

These vibrations are passed across the middle ear by three tiny bones: the malleus, incus and stapes (sometimes known as the hammer, anvil and stirrup, known together as the ossicles). The bones increase the strength of the vibrations before they pass through the oval window into the cochlea.

The cochlea looks like a snail's shell. It's filled with fluid and contains thousands of tiny sound-sensitive cells. These cells are known as hair cells. The vibrations entering the cochlea cause the fluid and hair cells to move, much like the movement of seaweed on the seabed when waves pass over it.

As the hair cells move, they create a small electrical charge or signal. The auditory nerve carries these signals to the brain where they are understood as sound.

For an ear to work fully and pick up sound, all of these parts must work well.

The main types of deafness

Sensorineural deafness, or nerve deafness as it's sometimes called, is a hearing loss in the inner ear. This usually means that the cochlea isn't working effectively. Sensorineural deafness is permanent.

Conductive deafness means that sound can't pass efficiently through the outer and middle ear into the inner ear. This is often caused by blockages such as wax in the outer ear, or fluid in the middle ear (glue ear). Glue ear is a very common condition, especially in pre-school children. Conductive deafness is usually temporary, but it can be permanent in some cases.

It's possible for children to have a combination of sensorineural and conductive deafness. This is known as mixed deafness. One example of mixed deafness is when someone has glue ear as well as sensorineural deafness.

Deafness in one ear only is known as unilateral deafness , which can also be referred to as one-sided hearing loss or single-sided deafness (SSD).

Very few deaf children have no useful hearing. Most deaf children can hear some sounds at certain frequencies and loudness, and with the use of hearing aids or implants they are often able to hear more sounds.

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What Is Deafness? | Main types of deafness

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Get more information about how the ear works and the main types of deafness, such as: sensorineural deafness, ANSD and conductive deafness and mixed deafness

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Deafness Causes- National Deaf Children's Society

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Deafness Causes- National Deaf Children's Society

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Go even deeper into the causes of deafness from pre to post-natal.

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There are many reasons why a child might be born deaf or become deaf in childhood. Although not knowing the cause of deafness can be very upsetting, it isn't always possible to identify the reason. You may be offered tests to try to find the cause of your child's deafness but they will only be able to identify the cause in 40-50% of children.

Causes of deafness before birth (pre-natal causes)

Permanent deafness in children is most commonly caused by genetics, passed down in families, even though there appears to be no family history of deafness.

Some of the most common syndromes associated with hearing loss are:

Alport syndrome

Branchio-Oto-Renal syndrome

CHARGE syndrome

Crouzon syndrome

Down's syndrome

Goldenhar syndrome

Jervell and Lange Nielsen syndrome

Pendred syndrome, where children have enlarged vestibular aqueducts

Stickler syndrome

Treacher Collins syndrome

Usher syndrome Type 1 and Type 2

Waardenburg syndrome

For detailed information on these syndromes, visit Contact.

Deafness can also be caused by complications during pregnancy. Infections such as rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV), toxoplasmosis and herpes can cause a child to be born deaf.

There are also a range of medicines, known as ototoxic drugs, which can damage a baby's hearing system before birth.

Hearing can be affected by cleft palate or cleft lip and palate, which can occur on its own or be linked to one of the syndromes listed above.

Different types of deafness can be associated with microtia and atresia, depending on which part of the ear is not formed or working as it should.

Causes in childhood (post-natal causes)

Being born prematurely can increase the risk of a child being deaf or becoming deaf. Premature babies are often more prone to infections that can cause deafness. Severe jaundice or a lack of oxygen at some point can also cause deafness. Infections during early childhood, such as meningitis, measles and mumps, can be responsible for a child becoming deaf.

Temporary deafness in children is most commonly caused by glue ear.

Children may develop a rare ear disease known as cholesteatoma. This can happen at any time during childhood.

Children born with enlarged vestibular aqueducts can be born with a hearing loss which can be progressive or develop for the first time in early childhood.

Children may develop a rare condition known as otosclerosis. This can happen at any time during childhood, but is more common in teenagers and young adults.

Occasionally, a head injury or exposure to loud noise can damage the hearing system.

Ototoxic drugs used in medical treatments

Ototoxic drugs (drugs that can cause damage to the inner ear) used in some medical treatments can cause hearing loss, tinnitus and balance problems.

Children being treated for cancer are at particular risk of hearing loss caused by the cisplatin-based chemotherapy agents used in childhood cancer treatment. Children having chemotherapy should have their hearing levels monitored regularly to check for any deterioration early, so that oncologists (cancer doctors) can consider alternative drugs or changing treatment doses. Hearing aids can also be offered if needed.

RNID have more information about deafness caused by ototoxic drugs.

Medical tests used to help diagnose the cause of deafness

Information about how you can try to find out the cause of your child's hearing loss can be found in Chapter 8 'Medical tests used to help diagnose the cause of permanent deafness' in our resource Understanding Your Child's Hearing Tests.

Want more information like this?

As a member, we'll send you information and inspiring stories - tailored just for you and your child. You'll also be joining a community of over 35,000 families, so whether you know the cause of your child's deafness or are still unsure, there are plenty of other families going through a similar journey who can share their experiences and advice.

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Deafness can occur before or after birth, find out more about the different causes of deafness and the medical tests that can be used to diagnose the cause

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Hearing loss from birth to age 18.

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Permanent childhood hearing loss is the loss of hearing ability at a young age. It may be congenital, delayed-onset, progressive, or acquired.

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There are four different types of hearing loss. Also four degrees of hearing loss which range from mild to profound.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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A hearing loss can happen when any part of the ear or auditory (hearing) system is not working in the usual way.

Outer Ear
The outer ear is made up of:

the part we see on the sides of our heads, known as pinna

the ear canal

the eardrum, sometimes called the tympanic membrane, which separates the outer and middle ear

Middle Ear
The middle ear is made up of:

the eardrum

three small bones called ossicles that send the movement of the eardrum to the inner ear

Inner Ear
The inner ear is made up of:

the snail shaped organ for hearing known as the cochlea

the semicircular canals that help with balance

the nerves that go to the brain

Auditory (ear) Nerve
This nerve sends sound information from the ear to the brain.

Auditory (Hearing) System
The auditory pathway processes sound information as it travels from the ear to the brain so that our brain pathways are part of our hearing.

There are four types of hearing loss:

The degree of hearing loss can range from mild to profound:

Hearing loss can also be described as:

Fluctuating or Stable
Hearing loss gets either better or worse over time (fluctuating) or stays the same over time (stable).

Congenital or Acquired/Delayed Onset
Hearing loss is present at birth (congenital) or appears sometime later in life (acquired or delayed onset).

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A hearing loss can happen when any part of the ear or auditory (hearing) system is not working in the usual way.

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This is a great article. The CDC basically covers everything in this page from resources, describing what hearing loss is, data, research, and even real stories from others.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Hearing loss can affect a child's ability to develop communication, language, and social skills. The earlier children with hearing loss start getting services, the more likely they are to reach their full potential. If you are a parent and you suspect your child has hearing loss, trust your instincts and speak with your child's doctor. Don't wait!

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Learn More About Hearing Loss in Children | CDC

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Hearing loss can affect a child's ability to develop communication, language, and social skills. The earlier children with hearing loss start getting services, the more likely they are to reach their full potential. If you are a parent and you suspect your child has hearing loss, trust your instincts and speak with your child's doctor.

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This is a support page offered by the CDC for families and how to navigate through infant and child deafness or hearing loss.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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For many parents, their baby's hearing loss is unexpected. Many parents need time and support to adapt not only to having a new family member but also to the baby's hearing loss.

Parents of children with recently identified hearing loss can seek different kinds of support. Family support is anything that helps a family. This help may include advice, information, having the chance to get to know other parents that have a child with hearing loss, finding childcare or transportation, giving parents time for personal relaxation or just a supportive listener.

Other Parents

Many families find it helpful to meet and talk with other families that have older children with hearing loss. In some states there are parent-to-parent support groups that help match parents with other parents for support. There are also national support groups available. Ask your professional team about these resources in your community.

Faith Based

Sometimes families get support from their clergy or other members of the faith-based group to which they belong.

The Team

Another important place to find support is from the members of the child's team of professionals. The members themselves can provide help, or refer a parent to a counselor or a social worker to talk about personal, financial, family, or marriage issues.

Families find support in many ways. Other types of support might include friendships with deaf or hard-of-hearing adults, community resources, their own families, and others. Each family is unique. Therefore families can build supports that work for them.

Page last reviewed:

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early hearing detection and intervention

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Family Support Services | Parent's Guide to Hearing Loss | CDC

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For many parents, their baby's hearing loss is unexpected. Many parents need time and support to adapt not only to having a new family member but also to the baby's hearing loss. Parents of children with recently identified hearing loss can seek different kinds of support. Family support is anything that helps a family.

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A page dedicated to support from beginning to advanced deaf and hearing loss in infants and children's families. The "Just In Time" tool PDF link is on here as well as the direct link below this link.

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Family Support and Partnership

Family support is an essential component of an effective EHDI system. EHDI coordinators and other stakeholders, such as the medical home and audiologists, have a responsibility to ensure:

Families are supported: EHDI systems must ensure that families get access to culturally-competent information to help them make informed decisions. This also includes providing access family support groups to help provide emotional support as only other caregivers can offer.

Families are partners in decision making: EHDI systems must honor family decisions about what is best for their own child and family. At a systems level, families with diverse perspectives can offer their expertise to guide EHDI practices and policies, resulting in more family-centered EHDI systems.

Just in Time Tool

The "Just in Time" tool [PDF] is designed especially for family organizations to help them in their job to support families. It contains the most essential resources identified by both families and professionals to address hearing-related needs. Family organizations, such as Family Voices, Family-to-Family Health Information Centers, Parent Training and Information Centers, and Parent-to-Parent USA chapters are invited to do the following:

Resources for Building Family-Professional Partnerships

Other Resources that may be of interest:

NCHAM Pages and Materials

Other Materials and Websites

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Support for Families Who Have a Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child | NCHAM

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Culturally competent family support for families who have a deaf or hard of hearing child

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What is a Cochlear Implant? How does it work? Does it work forever one? Find all those answers and more here.

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What is a cochlear implant?

A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can help to provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing. The implant consists of an external portion that sits behind the ear and a second portion that is surgically placed under the skin (see figure). An implant has the following parts:

A microphone, which picks up sound from the environment.

A speech processor, which selects and arranges sounds picked up by the microphone.

A transmitter and receiver/stimulator, which receive signals from the speech processor and convert them into electric impulses.

An electrode array, which is a group of electrodes that collects the impulses from the stimulator and sends them to different regions of the auditory nerve.

An implant does not restore normal hearing. Instead, it can give a deaf person a useful representation of sounds in the environment and help him or her to understand speech.

How does a cochlear implant work?

A cochlear implant is very different from a hearing aid. Hearing aids amplify sounds so they may be detected by damaged ears. Cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Signals generated by the implant are sent by way of the auditory nerve to the brain, which recognizes the signals as sound. Hearing through a cochlear implant is different from normal hearing and takes time to learn or relearn. However, it allows many people to recognize warning signals, understand other sounds in the environment, and understand speech in person or over the telephone.

Who gets cochlear implants?

Children and adults who are deaf or severely hard-of-hearing can be fitted for cochlear implants. As of December 2019, approximately 736,900 registered devices have been implanted worldwide. In the United States, roughly 118,100 devices have been implanted in adults and 65,000 in children. (Estimates provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA], as reported by cochlear implant manufacturers approved for the U.S. market.)

The FDA first approved cochlear implants in the mid-1980s to treat hearing loss in adults. Since 2000, cochlear implants have been FDA-approved for use in eligible children beginning at 12 months of age. For young children who are deaf or severely hard-of-hearing, using a cochlear implant while they are young exposes them to sounds during an optimal period to develop speech and language skills. Research has shown that when these children receive a cochlear implant followed by intensive therapy before they are 18 months old, they are better able to hear, comprehend sound and music, and speak than their peers who receive implants when they are older. Studies have also shown that eligible children who receive a cochlear implant before 18 months of age can develop language skills at a rate comparable to children with normal hearing, and many succeed in mainstream classrooms.

Some adults who have lost all or most of their hearing later in life can also benefit from cochlear implants. They learn to associate the signals from the implant with sounds they remember, including speech, without requiring any visual cues such as those provided by lipreading or sign language.

How does someone receive a cochlear implant?

Use of a cochlear implant requires both a surgical procedure and significant therapy to learn or relearn the sense of hearing. Not everyone performs at the same level with this device. The decision to receive an implant should involve discussions with medical specialists, including an experienced cochlear-implant surgeon. The process can be expensive. For example, a person's health insurance may cover the expense, but not always. Some individuals may choose not to have a cochlear implant for a variety of personal reasons. Surgical implantations are almost always safe, although complications are a risk factor, just as with any kind of surgery. An additional consideration is learning to interpret the sounds created by an implant. This process takes time and practice. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are frequently involved in this learning process. Prior to implantation, all of these factors need to be considered.

What does the future hold for cochlear implants?

The NIDCD supports research to enhance the benefits of cochlear implants. Scientists are exploring whether using a shortened electrode array, inserted into a portion of the cochlea, for example, can help individuals whose hearing loss is limited to the higher frequencies while preserving their hearing of lower frequencies. Researchers also are looking at the potential benefits of pairing a cochlear implant in one ear with either another cochlear implant or a hearing aid in the other ear.

Where can I find additional information about cochlear implants?

The NIDCD maintains a directory of organizations that provide information on the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language.

Use the following keywords to help you find organizations that can answer questions and provide information on cochlear implants:

For more information, contact us at:

NIDCD Information Clearinghouse
1 Communication Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892-3456
Toll-free voice: (800) 241-1044
Toll-free TTY: (800) 241-1055
Email: nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov

NIH Publication No. 00-4798
February 2016
Statistics updated March 2021

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A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that can provide a sense of sound to people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Learn more about how they work.

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More classes and workshops people can attend to become fluent in ASL.

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ASL Classes, Workshops, and Certification Maintenance

Sign Language Classes:

Courses available from Level 1 (Beginner) to Level 4 (Advanced Conversational). Immersion method. On or off site. Tutoring services also available.

Classes last eight weeks for the first Beginner Course ($80)

Ten weeks for all other classes ($100)

All classes are taught by Deaf Instructors

Once a week for 2 hours

Classes are held in Kissimmee, FL near the Osceola Square Mall

Workshops: ASL Services sponsors introductory, intermediate and advanced level workshops for professional development. For information on workshop/presentations/events please review our current Newsletter.
Certification Maintenance: ASL Services Inc. is an RID CMP (Continuing Maintenance Program) Approved Sponsor. We are committed to bringing quality sponsored workshops and training in all aspects of interpreting professional development for Hearing and Deaf interpreters including introductory to advanced levels.

For more information on getting CEU (Continuing Education Units) at ASL Services Inc.upcoming CMP sponsored events, or information to have us sponsor your upcoming event, email us by filling out our form or contacting us at workshops@aslservices.com.

Baby Sign Language Class Teaching Your Baby Sign language has been proven to increase a child's IQ on the average of 12 points! It reduces emotional frustration and makes parents and child bond better. For more information, Contact us at Marlene@aslservices.com.

For more information: Contact our Sign Language Class Coordinator at Marlene@aslservices.com.

Be sure to read the Sign Language Classes Frequently Asked Questions

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ASL Interpreter Classes, Workshops, Cert Maintenance - ASL Services

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ASL Interpreter courses available from Level 1 to Level 4 (Advanced Conversational). Immersion method. On or off site. Tutoring services also available.

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Direct link to "Just In Time" tool PDF.

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Hearing Loss in Babies & Toddlers Milestones

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Hearing Loss in Babies & Toddlers Milestones

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This video can help parents know the milestones infants and toddlers should be at and how to identify if there may be a problem in hearing loss.

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What to do after baby's Hearing Loss Diagnosis

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What to do after baby's Hearing Loss Diagnosis

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Top 3 Things to Do After Your Baby’s Hearing Loss Diagnosis

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Hearing Aids vs Cochlear Implants (For Babies and Kids)

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Hearing Aids vs Cochlear Implants (For Babies and Kids)

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What is the difference in a CI and a HA? Which one is best? Find out in this informative video.

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Hearing Aids vs Cochlear Implants (For Babies and Kids)

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The H&V Family Leadership in Language & Learning Center

"Hands & Voices Family Leadership:
Where love, language and learning thrive."

We are so excited to bring this amazing opportunity to families, professionals, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing adults who are all on a journey together.... wherever or however you are experiencing this community - we are here to support and partner with you!

Hands & Voices is honored and motivated to lead the Family Leadership in Language and Learning (FL3) Center and work in partnership with all the very dedicated family leaders, deaf and hard of hearing adult leaders, and EHDI systems of care professionals which includes but not limited to, state/territory EHDI Program Coordinators, National Center On Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) EHDI Program, Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND), and deaf-based organizations.

The goal of the FL3 Center is to increase family engagement and leadership, and strengthen family support in Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) systems of care in order to enable families to optimize the language, literacy, and social-emotional development of their children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The FL3 Center serves as a technical resource center for parents and caregivers of children who are D/HH including those from underrepresented populations, family leaders, family-based organizations, and EHDI program recipients and stakeholders. The work will focus on several key areas including, technical assistance, training and education, resource development, communication and dissemination, quality improvement methodology and evaluation, evidence-based best practices, policy initiatives, and national partnerships.

The Family Leadership in Language and Learning (FL3) Center is a funding award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This new award provides continued funding for the period of April 1st, 2020 - March 31st, 2024.

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Family Leadership in Language & Learning (FL3)

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Family Leadership in Language and Learning (FL3) works to ensure that United States subsidized EHDI systems incorporate certain elements that support the families, parents and caregivers of deaf or hard of hearing infants/children identified through newborn hearing screening in optimizing language, literacy, and social-emotional development.

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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child Resilience Resources

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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child Resilience Resources

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Originally founded in 1856, Gallaudet University is the United States' predominant institution for deaf and hard of hearing students. Here they give resources from A to Z.

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Family Resources
University of Rochester, Golisano Children's Hospital: Resources for Families

This general resource offers webinars, mental health text, phone, and online direct support resources, web based trainings, and other articles and information related to mental health and parenting. Some resources listed here are specific to the Rochester, NY area. All resources are available in English, while some are also available in Spanish. Videos are closed captioned and some webinars have ASL interpretation.
National Institute of Mental Health

This general resource contains shareable infographics, linked articles, videos, and activities for children on various mental health-related topics directed toward children, adolescents, and their families. Linked articles are available in both English and Spanish. Videos are in English with closed captions available.
National Deaf Center: Family Support of Deaf Teens

This deaf and hard of hearing specific resource offers suggestions for how families can best support Deaf teenagers as they transition into adulthood. This article is in English.
American Academy of Pediatrics: Mental Health Resources for Families

This general resource provides links to handouts and articles created for parents on a variety of mental health and emotional wellness topics that affect children and adolescents. Mostresources are available in English and Spanish.

The video resources option leads to a video library of content covering various topics and tips for families. All videos are in English with closed captions available. The topics option leads to article resources separated by topic, and all articles here are available in English and Spanish with an option to listen to the articles read aloud in both languages.
National Academies of Science: Tools for supporting emotional well-being in children and youth

This general resource provides video and downloadable PDF resources to help parents promote emotional wellness skills in children of all ages. The additional resources tab offers resources aimed at more specific groups as well as support for families on mental health and other key issues. This resource is available in English with closed captioning available on videos.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Facts for Families Guide

This general resource includes fact sheets, resource centers, resource libraries, and medication guides for parents all organized by topic as well as a child and adolescent psychiatrist finder tool. All content is available in English, and some of the medication guides are available in Spanish.
Medline Plus: Child Mental Health

This general resource provides articles and printouts for both parents and children on a variety of topics including specific disorders, types of treatment, and the process of diagnosis. Tools to help families find a psychologist or psychiatrist are also included. All resources are available in English and some are also available in Spanish.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Parenting Videos

This general resource provides videos aimed at supporting parents of toddler and preschool aged children with positive parenting skills. All videos are closed captioned, and half are available in Spanish.
Florida International University: Center for Children and Families Parent Resources

This general resource provides video interviews with mental health professionals on a number of topics focusing on common parent questions and concerns on a variety of mental health related topics. All videos are in English and closed captioned.
Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology: Effective Child Therapy

This general resource offers a varity of resources for parents and caregivers. This resource is available in English.

This general resource provides written overviews of nine different types of treatment approaches commonly used for children and youth. This resource is available in English.

Mental Health America: Resources for Parents

This general resource offers articles for families that tackle a variety of mental health related issues. Articles are available in English.
Project Teach: Parent and Family Page

This general resource for parents provides a number of video and article resources on a variety of mental health related and parenting topics. Videos are closed captioned, and PDFs are available in English, Bengali, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, and Simple Chinese. Some phone numbers and office locations are specific to the state of New York

Professional Resources
National Deaf Center: Mental Health Care for Deaf Individuals

This deaf and hard of hearing specific resource provides deaf and hard of hearing specific information regarding prevalence of mental health issues and risk factors in the deaf and hard of hearing population as well as issues regarding barriers to services. This resource is available in English.

Books and Scholarly Articles Related to Trauma and Language Deprivation, with a specific focus on deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

Books

Glickman, N. S., & Hall, W. C. (2018). Language Deprivation and Deaf Mental Health. Routledge

Articles

Paige Johnson, Stephanie Cawthon, Bentley Fink, Erica Wendel, Sarah Schoffstall, Trauma and Resilience Among Deaf Individuals, The Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, Volume 23, Issue 4, October 2018, Pages 317-330, https://doi.org/10.1093/deafed/eny024

Bower, C. M., Reilly, B. K., Richerson, J. E., & Hecht, J. L. (2023). Hearing Assessment in Infants, children, and Adolescents: Recommendations beyond Neonatal screening. Pediatrics, 152(3). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2023-063288

Hall WC, Dye TDV, Siddiqi S (2023) Associations of childhood hearing loss and adverse childhood experiences in deaf adults. PLoS ONE 18(6): e0287024. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287024

Kushalnagar, P., Ryan, C., Paludneviciene, R., Spellun, A., & Gulati, S. (2020). Adverse childhood communication experiences associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases in adults who are deaf. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 59(4), 548-554.

Blog: Language deprivation and Mental health, Neil Glickman
Additional Resources

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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child Resilience Resources - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child Resilience Center | Gallaudet University

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Family Resources University of Rochester, Golisano Children's Hospital: Resources for Families This general resource offers webinars, mental

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Simple Ways to Check Your Child’s Hearing Loss for A Progressive Loss

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Simple Ways to Check Your Child’s Hearing Loss for A Progressive Loss

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Sometimes, hearing loss can change or progress as the child is growing. This video will show you how to check your child's hearing loss.

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Simple Ways to Check Your Child’s Hearing Loss for A Progressive Loss