May is Better Hearing and Speech Month!

The Callier Center for Communication Disorders celebrates Better Hearing and Speech Month in May! The Callier Center provides care for over 3,500 patients annually and is celebrating 60 years of caring. Callier patients receive life-changing treatment and therapy for hearing loss and speech-language disorders.

For Better Hearing and Speech Month the Callier Center is raising support for the Children’s Hearing Aid Trust. The Children’s Hearing Aid Trust was created by Dr. Andrea Gohmert, the Director of Audiology Clinical Operations at Callier, to meet the needs of pediatric patients who have mild hearing loss or unilateral (one-sided) hearing loss.  Because of their diagnoses, these patients often do not qualify for hearing aids through Medicaid.  Many of these patients cannot afford the cost of hearing aids.  The Children’s Hearing Aid Trust loans pediatric patients brand new hearing aids free of charge.

Give the gift of hearing today and help transform the life of a Callier patient! The Callier Center’s goal is to raise support for the Children’s Hearing Aid Trust to provide 25 hearing aids to pediatric patients in need.

Meet Autumn!

Autumn is a spirited eight-year-old who is fascinated by nature and loves being outside.  She enjoys art, drawing and Garage Band on her digital keyboard.  Autumn’s parents shared that she is a joyful and “unique” soul.

At two years old, Autumn was diagnosed by a clinical psychologist with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  Four years later, it was discovered that she had profound hearing loss in both ears. Upon receiving the diagnosis that Autumn was hard of hearing, her parents were referred to the Callier Center for Communication Disorders. At the Callier Center, they met audiologist Dr. Amanda Frost, who tested Autumn’s hearing.  Great news, Autumn would benefit from hearing aids. Autumn’s parents were excited that there was help for her.  However, upon discovering the cost of the devices, they were devastated. The expense was too high, and they did not have insurance to cover it.

Dr. Frost, understanding the circumstances, reassured them that Autumn would receive the treatment that she needed. Through the Children’s Hearing Aid Trust at the Callier Center, Autumn received her first pair of hearing aids, and the family would only pay 10% of the original cost. Today, Autumn has access to hearing because of the Callier Center.  She can communicate with her family, friends and community. Autumn can now hear the sounds of the great outdoors that she loves so much as well as the musical compositions she creates in her favorite game, Garage Band.