The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program at Boston Children's Hospital provides comprehensive evaluation and consultative services to deaf and hard of hearing children. We'll also interact closely with your child's physician, schools, and any other applicable agencies.
Our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program's interdisciplinary team includes hearing and deaf professionals who are experienced in working with infants, children, and adolescents. We're able to treat children with all degrees of hearing loss. Our staff specializes in:
Our expertise
Our team at the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program cares for more than 1,000 children and their families each year, including children and adolescents with known or previously diagnosed hearing loss.
Our program is one of the largest and most experienced programs of its kind in the country.
Evaluation and Assessment Services
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program provides the following services:
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cognitive and psycho-educational assessments
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neuropsychological assessments
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functional communication and interaction assessments
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speech, spoken language and auditory skills assessments
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sign language assessments
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audiological evaluations
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amplification assessments
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psychiatric assessments
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otological examination
Additional Services
The DHHP also:
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serves as a resource center, providing referral for services and/or to agencies and organizations
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disseminates information regarding assistive devices, educational approaches, specialized materials, etc.
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provides short term speech-language therapy, individual counseling and parent guidance
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conducts baseline mental health assessments of deaf or hard of hearing youngsters
Groundbreaking Research
The Department of Otolaryngology conducts both basic research and clinical studies of hearing. Gabriel Corfas, PhD, is the director of basic science research in Otolaryngology. His laboratory investigates the mechanisms that contribute to loss of hearing and balance with the aim of developing tools to treat these disorders. Using genetically modified mice, the Corfas laboratory has identified new cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie degeneration of the inner ear.