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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Providing Optimal Access to Language for Preschool Children Through Classroom Support and Remote Microphone Systems' Track: 2 - Audiological Services Keyword(s): Remote microphone systems, classroom support, preschool Learning Objectives: Describe the importance of knowledgeable support personnel in classrooms of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Abstract: Authors: Lauren Lewis, B.S., Stacy Claycomb, Au.D, Shannon Elam, Au.D, Kristin Uhler, Ph.D, Sandy Gabbard, Ph.D Affliliations: 1) University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, Colorado 2) LEND Program, JFK Partners, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 3) Marion Downs Center, Denver, Colorado Children with hearing loss who use hearing technology require significant follow up to ensure consistent and optimal hearing. This is especially important for young children during the language intense preschool years. Hearing abilities can be maximized both in and out of the classroom by ensuring appropriately fit devices, use of remote microphone systems such as Roger, daily listening checks, and multidisciplinary classroom support. Without the support of teachers, speech-language pathologists and educational audiologists, these needs go unmet and may lead to suboptimal classroom performance. The University of Colorado Hospital Audiology Clinic and the Marion Downs Center recognize the importance of using classroom support and remote microphone systems, starting in preschool, to ensure that students who are deaf and hard of hearing have ideal access to spoken language. Marion’s Way summer preschool brings together deaf educators, speech-language pathologists, audiologists and pre-professional students in these areas to educate and support eight children with hearing loss and their parents. The preschool is a language intensive program designed to maximize access to classroom communication and teach parents to create language rich environments outside of school. Incidence of audiology action (e.g., fitting of loaner hearing aids, battery changes, setting adjustments, etc.) was tracked throughout the preschool in 2014 and Roger benefit was demonstrated through objective and subjective measures. These outcomes revealed that improving the signal-to-noise ratio via the Roger systems led to improvement in both subjective and objective measures. Results will be presented that demonstrate that providing optimal access to language through remote microphone technology requires the support of knowledgeable professionals. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available CART: CART Transcription is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Lauren Lewis - Primary Presenter University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, Colorado      Credentials: Bachlor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders      Other Affiliations: LEND Program, JFK Partners, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado; Marion Downs Center, Denver, Colorado       Lauren Lewis is a graduate student in Audiology at Washington University in St. Louis. She is completing her fourth year externship at the University of Colorado Audiology Clinic before she graduates in May 2015.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.