Pediatric Aural Habilitation: The Management of Children with Hearing Loss

The Program in Communication Disorders at The University of Texas at Dallas offers graduate students the oppurtunity to specialize in the area of Aural Habilitation through coursework and practicum experiences. The University of Texas at Dallas is uniquely suited to provide this training because of the on-site programs such as the Callier Preschool for children with hearing loss and the Dallas Cochlear Implant Program.

This speciality is available to students who have been admitted for graduate training in Speech and Language Pathology or Audiology. The Aural Habilitation emphasis is a supplement to the regular program in each of these two areas.

Prerequisites

Students desiring consideration for this program must meet the following prerequisites:

1. Admission to the Master's Degree program in speech and language pathology or audiology.

2. An undergraduate degree(or comparable coursework) in speech and language pathology,audiology, or general communication disorders.

3. An academic average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

4. Willingness to supplement the regular graduate degree with academic and clinical training needed for this specialization.

A limited number of student stipends is available.

Individual work programs will differ according to the major area of training selected by students.

In general, students will be prepared to provide the following services upon completion of the program:

Audiology

1. Test the hearing of children of all ages.

2. Interpret audioprograms to parents and teachers and explain the implications.

3. Monitor individual and classroom amplification worn by children, diagnose malfunction of the equipment, and make necessary adjustments.

4. Consult with teachers (and parents, when appropriate) about audition in the home and classroom:how to use all types of amplification systems most effectively,how to control noise in a classroom,how to predict speech potential from audiological data,how to check hearing aids in the classroom, when to refer a child for otological or audiological evaluation,how to provide auditory training.

5. Participate on an interdisciplinary team which serves the needs of children with hearing loss.

Speech and Language Pathology

1. Interpret audiograms to parents and teachers,and explain their implications.

2. Monitor and explain the use of amplification systems for children with hearing loss.

3. Provide speech,language,and auditory training services to children with hearing loss.

4. Teach classroom teachers and parents methods for stimulating speech/language and for meeting children's general communication needs in the classroom and at home.

5. Interface with classroom teachers in order to integrate speech,language,and academic services to children with hearing loss.

6. Participate on an interdisciplinary team which serves the needs of children with hearing loss.

Additional information on the PAH program can be found by clicking here.