Why Learn with Hearing First?

As professionals working in the hearing healthcare industry, we have entered a new era. Outcomes for children with hearing loss are better than ever before, with more research and improved technology continuously advancing what’s possible. But there’s still work to be done to ensure all children who are deaf or hard of hearing have the opportunity to access all the sounds of speech. So, how can professionals ensure they are aligned with the latest best practices to continue to move the needle? Ongoing learning! 

Empowering You to Empower Families

Hearing First offers free professional learning opportunities to improve knowledge and skills of professionals in support of children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families. Empowering the adults in a child’s life is a key part of our mission to improve outcomes for children with hearing loss.

As a professional, you have the important job of empowering the families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing to reach their listening and spoken language goals. You help ensure that their children receive the technology, intervention, and resources they need to thrive and reach their full potential. As part of our commitment to helping children with hearing loss, Hearing First is here to support professionals like you so you can take your practice to the next level, staying on the forefront of innovation. Learning comes at no cost to you — because what’s best for children with hearing loss starts with access to empowered professionals.

 
A Different Learning Model 

Hearing First leverages the adult learning model, seek, sense, share, which allows learners to not only gain knowledge, but apply it — increasing retention and mastery of concepts.

• Expand Your Knowledge: Courses leverage best practices in adult learning, translating evidence-based research and strategies that you can immediately integrate into your practice. 
• Explore a Variety of Topics: From beginner to advanced level, learning experiences cover a wide range of topics focused on LSL and pediatric audiology. 
• Find Your Community: Access a virtual space dedicated to learning, support, and connection so you can advance your practice as you empower families to reach positive outcomes. 

Seek, Sense, Share

Based on the learning model created by Harold Jarche, courses allow learners to put each new bit of information to use right away.

• SEEK: Learn new things to stay up-to-date. This stage is information gathering and discovery. 
• SENSE: Personalize what you learn to put it into practice. This stage is reflection and application. 
• SHARE: Exchange ideas and discuss with others. This stage is about collaboration and community. 

Curated Course Topics 

Courses are available in pediatric audiology and Listening and Spoken Language to model connected care and improve knowledge and skills of all professionals supporting children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families.

Collaboration and understanding between pediatric audiologists, LSL interventionists, and other professionals is vital to successful outcomes. All Hearing First courses include a focus on a multidisciplinary approach, emphasizing the importance of collaborative care. 

Pediatric Audiology 

High-quality pediatric audiology is necessary for prompt diagnosis of hearing loss and the selection and programming of hearing technology crucial to optimize the access a child has to a language-rich listening environment. Best-practice pediatric audiology services are also required to enable children with hearing loss and additional disabilities to reach their full potential. Moreover, pediatric audiologists should play a vital role in offering the assistance families need to offer the support necessary to achieve optimal LSL outcomes.

The courses Hearing First offers focused on pediatric audiology will equip pediatric audiologists with evidence-based clinical knowledge necessary to provide best-practice pediatric hearing healthcare. Courses are led by world-renowned pediatric hearing healthcare experts who will provide cutting-edge information pertaining to the comprehensive scope of practice of a pediatric audiologist ranging from genetics and embryological development to family-centered care and social-emotional aspects of hearing loss.

At the completion of each course, learners should be equipped with state-of-the-art knowledge that facilitates the provision of gold standard pediatric audiology services necessary for children with hearing loss to achieve optimal LSL outcomes.    

Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) 

Today’s infants, toddlers and young children who are deaf or hard of hearing have unprecedented opportunities to develop their listening, language, literacy, cognitive, and social skills – right alongside their peers with typical hearing. In the ever-evolving LSL landscape, interventionists need an ongoing learning plan to meet the changing needs of this population.

The content of the LSL-focused courses is designed to cover the LSL domains of knowledge —  the foundational aspects of LSL intervention that help children with hearing loss learn to listen and talk. This provides professionals the insights, information, and parent-friendly resources they need to help children who are deaf or hard of hearing achieve positive outcomes. All learning is facilitated by highly qualified thought leaders in the LSL field, giving professionals access to some of the leading experts in LSL intervention.

These courses are a great opportunity to gain knowledge and practical insights in a highly interactive setting to enhance your LSL practice, increase the effectiveness of LSL early intervention, and impact child outcomes.