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About

A Young Boy In A Blue Shirt

Development of this website involved multiple agencies working collaboratively to provide Alabama’s families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing with true options in our state.

About Alabama Hearing Loss Options

The approach to communication that a family chooses for a child who is deaf or hard of hearing is perhaps the most important decision parents will make. No one approach is right for all children. Parents need information regarding the options that are available to make an informed choice. Parents must understand the principles of each approach, the training required, and the family responsibilities associated with each approach.

Alabama Hearing Loss Options is a tool to help families make decisions regarding which mode of communication to use with their child who is deaf or hard of hearing. The goal of this program is to develop a systematic, comprehensive method of delivering non-biased, research-based information to families so that they are be better equipped to make informed choices.

Our Goals

The focus and goals of this program were informed by Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) to guidance and principles including, but not limited to the following:

Access to Resources

“Families should have access to information about all resources and programs for intervention, and support and counseling regarding the child’s education and communication/language needs.” (Updated Principles Beyond EHDI 1-3-6 #9; JCIH 2019, p. 4.)

Early Intervention Programs

“Early intervention programs should recognize evidence-based practices and build on strengths, informed choices, language traditions, and cultural beliefs of families they serve.” (Updated Principles Beyond EHDI 1-3-6 #9; JCIH 2019, p. 4.)

Decision Making

Ultimately, decision-making authority rests with the family. (Dunst, Trivette, & Deal, 1988 as referenced in JCIH 2019, p. 26.)

Provider Expertise

“…A key component of providing quality services is the expertise of the provider, including knowledge and skills that are specific to working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families” (JCIH, 2013; Moeller et al., 2013 as referenced in JCIH 2019, p. 25.). [See also, JCIH 2013 Supplement, Goal 3a and 3b regarding the importance of communication mode specific professional expertise.]

Informed Family Choice

Informed family choice is based not just on ‘neutral’ or ‘descriptive’ information about communication mode and language options, but on ‘evaluative’ information that introduces families to family responsibilities, commitment(s) required, and expected outcomes associated with a given option. (JCIH 2019, p. 26).

Terminology conventions outlined in the JCIH Year 2019 Position Statement were followed as well.

Our Goals

The focus and goals of this program were informed by Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) to guidance and principles including, but not limited to the following:

Access to Resources

“Families should have access to information about all resources and programs for intervention, and support and counseling regarding the child’s education and communication/language needs.” (Updated Principles Beyond EHDI 1-3-6 #9; JCIH 2019, p. 4.)

Early Intervention Programs

“Early intervention programs should recognize evidence-based practices and build on strengths, informed choices, language traditions, and cultural beliefs of families they serve.” (Updated Principles Beyond EHDI 1-3-6 #9; JCIH 2019, p. 4.)

Decision Making

Ultimately, decision-making authority rests with the family. (Dunst, Trivette, & Deal, 1988 as referenced in JCIH 2019, p. 26.)

Hearing Loss Specific Learning

“…A key component of providing quality services is the expertise of the provider, including knowledge and skills that are specific to working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families” (JCIH, 2013; Moeller et al., 2013 as referenced in JCIH 2019, p. 25.). [See also, JCIH 2013 Supplement, Goal 3a and 3b regarding the importance of communication mode specific professional expertise.]

Informed Family Choice

Informed family choice is based not just on ‘neutral’ or ‘descriptive’ information about communication mode and language options, but on ‘evaluative’ information that introduces families to family responsibilities, commitment(s) required, and expected outcomes associated with a given option. (JCIH 2019, p. 26).

Terminology conventions outlined in the JCIH Year 2019 Position Statement were followed as well.

A Close Up Of A Baby

Support and Information

By encouraging parents and caregivers to act early, be involved, and check out their choices, the website will support family engagement and informed decision making with resulting positive impacts on timeliness of intervention efforts on behalf of and outcomes for Alabama’s infants and children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

This project was made possible by grant number 90TP0065. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.”

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The good news is that options are available that allow children who are deaf or hard hearing receive the ‘time in language’ they need to succeed.

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