Community Outreach
A vital component of Texas Hearing Institute's success is our community outreach programs where we inform and teach thousands of children and professionals about hearing loss. Our community initiatives and programs aim to improve the lives of children with hearing loss through awareness and education.
Free Hearing Screenings
Texas Hearing Institute offers free hearing screenings in Title 1 schools and similar programs that serve children from low socioeconomic status (SES) household in the Houston metropolitan area.
The Texas Department of State Health Services requires all pre-kindergarteners, kindergartners, first graders, third graders, fifth graders, seventh graders, and any new students (age 4 years old through 12th grade) to receive a hearing screening through their licensed child care center or their school program.
Hearing Screening Services Provided:
- Hearing screenings are completed in accordance with Texas Department of Health guidelines.
- Audiologists and licensed hearing screeners complete the hearing screening. Due to their expertise and training, each classroom can be screened within 20 minutes, and up to 600 to 700 students can be screened in a day!
- If a child does not pass the screening, additional testing can be completed that day to determine the most appropriate referral for the child.
- Hearing screening results are provided the day performed to the school nurse, and in English or Spanish to students’ families.
Feedback from local schools:
- "We here at Academic Behavioral School East Campus (ABSE) are grateful for Texas Hearing Institute. A professional team well equipped to provide services to our special population of students. They provide for a critical niche in our community and for the Harris County Department of Education. Hoping for a continued working relationship." - School Nurse at ABSE
- "On behalf of Arrow Academy, we would like to extend our appreciation of the amazing work done on the hearing screening for our scholars. The enthusiasm with which your team handled the screening was truly exceptional. The screening will give us an early detection on problems that may inhibit the learning process of our scholars." - School administration of Arrow Academy
Our goal at Texas Hearing Institute is to empower and assist school nurses and do our best to make sure every child in the Houston metropolitan area receives a quality hearing screening.
For more information and to apply for Texas Hearing Institute’s free hearing screening program. Please contact Brooke Tilton at btilton@texashearing.org for more information.
HEARING LOSS PREVENTION PROGRAM
Texas Hearing Institute’s Hearing Loss Prevention Program teaches students how to protect one of their most valuable assets: their hearing. Through this initiative, Texas Hearing Institute provides free presentations and hearing testing to children throughout the Greater Houston area.
Lead your school's efforts to keep students safe and healthy. For more information and to schedule an interactive hearing loss prevention presentation at your school, email or call Nancy Maher at nmaher@texashearing.org or (713) 337-9074.
Early Identification and Intervention
Throughout the year, highly skilled Texas Hearing Institute audiologists and technicians conduct hearing loss screenings and provide hearing loss prevention presentations to children in Title I schools and in neighborhood community centers.
