What is the MOHEAR Project?
The MOHEAR Project is a collaboration between Missouri State University and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services that helps families that have recently learned that a child is deaf or hard of hearing.
Who is a MOHEAR?
A MOHEAR is an audiologist, teacher of the deaf, speech language pathologist or other professional with specialized training or experience with intervention for hearing loss.
Why do we need NEED MOHEARs?
Today science confirms what we have known-early intervention is critical to the development of speech and language for deaf and hard of hearing children. In 1998, a study by Christine Yoshinago –Itano and her team showed that children who were identified with hearing loss and received intervention by six months of age were able to develop language comparable to their normal hearing peers. Imaging studies show the brain begins organizing pathways for auditory information at birth and that there is a critical time period of three years for language development. Like all differences, hearing loss creates challenges for families. Maximum exposure to language is important. Understanding a child’s hearing loss and its effect on how speech and language will develop is critical. MOHEARs will provide education to families early in the process.
Where will MOHEARs meet with families?
MOHEARs are available to meet with families by phone, virtually, in person or in coordination with the meetings scheduled by First Steps.
How does a MOHEAR become involved?
First Steps service coordinators may ask families if they would like to meet with a MOHEAR. If the family agrees the Service Coordinator will make arrangements. Or families can reach out to MOHEARs directly using the contacts on the Contact a MOHEAR page of this website.