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* Students must:Be 3 years oldHave a diagnosed hearing lossHave a current speech language evaluation* All students are accepted on a case by case basis, considering his/her individual communication needs.* Tuition is $300, and extended hour child care is available. Classes run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.* To learn more about the Hearing Loss Preschool, call 622-6900 or visit speechhearing.com/speech-pathology/hearing-loss-preschool.
When Gilly Wiseman’s son, Jones, failed his newborn hearing test, she was surprised. That quickly turned to concern when she found the city was lacking in programs focused on helping children with cochlear implants develop their language skills.
A new preschool class at East Brainerd Church of Christ changes that, and means children like Jones have access to the resources they need to be prepared for mainstream kindergarten.
Cochlear implants are surgically implanted medical devices that act as a hearing aid by replacing the function of the inner ear and allowing sound to travel to the brain, explained Speech and Hearing Center President and CEO Erica Newman, who is involved with the new preschool class.
“Some children don’t pick up on sign language,” Newman said. “This preschool gives children with hearing loss the best chance to be successful.”