Organizations and Associations

Following is a list of links to agencies, organizations and other web sites that provide a wide variety of information, services and resources of interest to the deaf and hard of hearing and to their families.

The Hearing, Speech-Language and Learning Center at Beth Israel Medical Center
http://www.wehealnewyork.org/services/hearing/services/
The Beth Israel Medical Center web site describes the services of The Hearing Center, The Cochlear Implant Center, The Speech-Language Center and The Learning Center at Beth Israel Medical Center, New York City

The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Otolaryngology, Cochlear Implantation
www.nyee.edu
The Cochlear Implantation and Children's Hearing Center is one of the largest cochlear implant programs in the United States. The Center includes the only bilingual cochlear implant program in the New York Metropolitan region. All diagnostic, surgical and rehabilitative services for cochlear implantation are offered. On the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary web site, click on Departments, then select Otolaryngology.

Alexander Graham Bell Association
www.agbell.org
AG Bell is an international membership organization of parents of children who are deaf and hard of hearing, adults with hearing loss and professionals. This comprehensive web site provides general hearing loss information, book recommendations, financial aid and scholarships, and action alerts on legislative developments. Separate sections support teens with hearing loss (an interactive website devoted to teen issues and hearing loss), adults with hearing loss (supporting action on the local and national level and the mentoring of young children who are deaf or hard of hearing) and parents (providing emotional support, information, referral to appropriate services and advocacy).

American Academy of Audiology
www.audiology.org
The American Academy of Audiology is the world's largest professional organization of, for and by audiologists. The consumer section of the web site has a series of articles on hearing loss, early infant hearing screening, hearing aids and more with some articles in Spanish.

American Academy of Otolaryngology
http://www.entnet.org/
This professional organization for ear, nose and throat specialists offers quality information for patients and families. The web site includes a Health Information section in English and Spanish on topics such as ears, hearing, and balance; a special section on children’s problems called Kids ENT; and timely updates on developments in the field on their homepage called In The Spotlight.

American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC)
www.deafchildren.org
ASDC is a national, non-profit membership organization providing support, encouragement, and information to families raising children who are deaf or hard of hearing. ASDC's primary mission is to advocate for the highest quality programs and services for parents so they can make informed choices about their children’s educational, communication, personal and social needs. Membership includes access to materials from ASDC's resource list and their free lending library, a subscription to their newsletter, a Biennial Convention, and more.

American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA)
http://www.asha.org/default.htm
The professional and credentialing organization for speech, language and hearing professionals, the ASHA web site contains information for the public on speech and language development, hearing loss in children and adults, hearing screening, treatment and rehabilitation, and much more.

Association of Late-Deafened Adults
http://www.alda.org/
This association is comprised of individuals who became deaf after the time of development of speech and language. The web site provides resources and information and promotes advocacy and awareness of the needs of deafened adults. Features offered include a list of regional chapters and self-help support groups, an email board and discussion lists, volunteer opportunities, conference information and more.

Auditory-Verbal International
http://www.auditory-verbal.org/default.asp
The Auditory-Verbal approach is based upon a set of guiding principles which enable children who are deaf or hard of hearing to learn to use even minimal amounts of amplified residual hearing or hearing through electrical stimulation (cochlear implants) to listen, to process verbal language, and to speak. Their web site describes the principles of the auditory-verbal approach, evidence that supports the practice, a parent’s guide on how to evaluate a child 0-6 years of age, a Parent’s Page that offers a circle of support with other parents via email or personal web pages, scholarship information, and more. Some information on the site is available in Spanish.

Beginnings for Parents of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Inc. (Beginnings)
www.ncbegin.org
This non-profit organization was established to provide emotional support and access to information as a central resource for families with deaf or hard of hearing children, age birth through 21. Topics include early intervention, communication options, audiology, assistive technology, and school issues.

Better Hearing Institute
http://www.betterhearing.org/resources/
The Better Hearing Institute is a nonprofit organization devoted to raising awareness of hearing health issues, treatment options, and the prevention of hearing loss. Their web site provides information on hearing loss, hearing solutions and an extensive resource guide including information on adult support groups, advocacy, assistive technology, education, employment, financial assistance, scholarships and more

Deaf Aztlan
http://www.deafvision.net/aztlan/
The Deaf Atzlan web site provides a listing of local or regional deaf Hispanic organizations, a message board and a mailing list.

Deafness Research Foundation
www.drf.org
The Deafness Research Foundation is a voluntary health organization dedicated to research on hearing loss and promoting lifelong hearing health as a national priority. Their website contains articles on cochlear implants and other hearing loss issues, a resource directory and a soon to be added resource directory by state.

FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health
www.fda.gov/cdrh/cochlear/
The site explains what cochlear implants are and how they work, and what the surgery entails. It presents the benefits and risks involved, provides news about cochlear implant recalls and safety issues, tells how to report problems and gives information that educators of implant patients need to know.

Harvard Medical School Center for Hereditary Deafness
http://hearing.harvard.edu/info/guides.htm
Provides information on hereditary deafness, facts about genetic testing, and information on specific genetic tests.

Healthy Hearing
www.healthyhearing.com
Healthy Hearing features up-to-the-minute news, information and resources for those interested in hearing, the causes and treatment of hearing loss, and hearing amplification systems. It also offers opportunities for information exchange and support for those faced with hearing disorders and the challenges of hearing impairment.

Hear-It
http://www.hear-it.org/
Established to increase public awareness of hearing impairment, this web site covers many issues concerning hearing impairment including practical information for the hearing-impaired, prevention of hearing loss, information for relatives and colleagues of the hearing impaired, statistics about hearing loss and consequences of hearing loss.

Hearing Exchange
http://www.hearingexchange.com/
This online community for the exchange of ideas and information on hearing loss and related issues is extensive and well researched. It includes online articles, resources, message boards, live chats, and current news. The site was developed by Paula Rosenthal, JD, who has progressive hearing loss, received a chochlear implant, and has one child who is hearing impaired.

Hearing Loss Web
http://hearinglossweb.com/
Developed by two people with hearing loss, the site features an online newsletter, discussion forum, hearing loss products and services, hearing technology, a resource guide, and more.

John Tracy Clinic
www.johntracyclinic.org
John Tracy Clinic is a private, non-profit education center founded by Louise Treadwell Tracy in 1942. The web site provides information on cochlear implants, deaf education resources, parent distance education/correspondence courses, summer sessions for families, and a FAQ’s section. Information is also available in Spanish.

League for Hard of Hearing
www.lhh.org
This is the oldest hearing rehabilitation and human services agency in the world for infants, children, adults and seniors who are hard of hearing, deaf and deaf-blind, and their families. Their web site offers information on hearing loss, frequently asked questions, publications and tapes, and links to further information.

Listen Up
www.listen-up.org
This user-friendly web site provides cochlear implant information, products and resources. It includes a ListServ for parents, two innovative programs for children with hearing loss ("Listen Up" which emphasizes auditory skills and "Talk It Up" which develops verbal abilities), and an extensive resource section and bookstore.
Resources in Spanish are also available (http://www.listen-up.org/htm/spanish.htm)

Maryland Hearing and Balance Center
www.umm.edu/otolaryngology/online_res.html
The University of Maryland web site provides information on hearing aids and cochlear implants and links to a variety of hearing-related online resources including cochlear implant companies, organizations, modes of communication and education, and assistive technology.

National Cued Speech Association
http://www.cuedspeech.org/
This membership organization provides advocacy and support on the use of Cued Speech. The web site offers information and services to people of all ages with hearing impairments, their families, friends, and professional colleagues.

MedlinePlus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hearingdisordersanddeafness.html
Produced by the National Library of Medicine, this government resource is a rich source of information on hearing disorders and deafness with links to high quality information on diagnosis, treatment, anatomy and physiology, health check tools, specific conditions, clinical trials, prevention and screening, coping and more. A Spanish language version of the information is available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/hearingdisordersanddeafness.html.

National Association of the Deaf
www.nad.org
This local and national membership association for deaf people offers opportunities for advocacy, news and programs and services.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
www.nidcd.nih.gov
This government resource from the National Institutes of Health provides reliable information on research studies, health information in English and Spanish, and health resources on deafness and communication disorders. Specific information on cochlear implants can be found at http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/coch.asp

Raising Deaf Kids
http://www.raisingdeafkids.org/
Produced by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, this site provides information on screening, early intervention, school choices, getting help and more in English and Spanish.

(SEE) Center for the Advancement of Deaf Children
www.seecenter.org
A non-profit organization established to work with parents and educators of hearing impaired children. The web site provides information on SEE (Signing Exact English), the causes of deafness, parent’s information, research articles, and a bulletin board.

Self Help for Hard of Hearing
www.shhh.org
This non-profit educational membership organization was formed in order to make a difference in the lives of people affected by hearing loss. The web site contains information on hearing loss and cochlear implants, advocacy issues, an extensive links section, recommended books, and an online self-assessment hearing test. It is the largest international consumer organization of its kind.

SoundBytes: Hearing Enhancement Products
www.soundbytes.com
Offering hearing enhancement products, including amplified telephones and answering machines, TTYs, and alerting systems for the hearing-impaired or deaf.