The Alabama Ear Institute, located in Birmingham, Alabama, will participate in Alabama Gives Day on February 2, 2012. Alabama Gives Day is an opportunity for Alabama residents to show appreciation and support for their favoriate local non-profit businesses and services through monetary donations. The AEI is a non-profit business that is a worthy recipient of such recognition. Founded in 1991 by Dr. Robert Baldwin, the center provides education, training, and support for children and families who have experienced the impact of hearing loss. Harry Wooten, director of AEI, and other staff members frequently provide educational workshops, conferences, and seminars to educate professionals and parents about the latest research in the areas of hearing loss and services for the deaf.
The AEI is responsible for founding the Alabama Newborn Hearing Screening Program (UNHS), which ensures that newborns are screened for potential hearing loss before leaving the hospital. If a newborn fails the screening, hospital staff immediately set up an appointment with a nearby Otolaryngologist, or ENT, for a rescreening and physical evaluation. The UNHS then follows up with parents to ensure that hearing loss does not go undiagnosed if possible.
The AEI offers the first preschool in the state, the Alabama School for Hearing, which provides therapy to children born with a hearing loss using the Auditory Oral/Auditory-Verbal approach. AEI has also established a successful Auditory Verbal Mentoring Program for professionals who are interested in learning this approach and becoming certified. View the AEI website for more information about this phenomenal center.
Comments