Growing Up Deaf in a Hearing World: New AG Bell Release Aims to Increase Awareness of Spoken Language

From: AG Bell - Jul 1, 2005

Contact:
Jessica Ripper
Senior Director of Marketing and Communications
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing
Phone: (202) 337-5220 ext. 123
Fax: (202) 337-8314
Email: jripper@agbell.org
Website: www.AGBell.org

Growing Up Deaf in a Hearing World
New AG Bell Release Aims to Increase Awareness of Spoken Language

Washington, DC, July 1, 2005 – Many people assume that a diagnosis of deafness signals a life of silence and sign language. We Learned to Listen, a new book of personal stories published by the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell), follows the journeys of nine individuals who are deaf as they strive to become part of a "hearing" world. We Learned to Listen explores their triumphs and struggles as they learn to listen, talk and achieve success along with their hearing peers.

"We Learned to Listen highlights the important role parents and professionals in the field of deafness play in helping children who are deaf or hard of hearing learn language," said K. Todd Houston, Ph.D., Executive Director/CEO of AG Bell. "Today, children with hearing loss identified at birth, fitted with hearing aids or cochlear implants, and enrolled in an early intervention program can develop language skills comparable to their hearing peers by age five."

We Learned to Listen aims to increase public awareness of spoken language as a viable communication option for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The book was developed and edited by Warren Estabrooks, M.Ed., Dip.Ed., Cert. AVT®, Director of the Auditory Learning Centre at the Learning to Listen Foundation, North York General Hospital, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and will be available at the AG Bell Bookstore, www.agbell.org, for $24.95 beginning July 7, 2005.

The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a lifelong resource, support network, and advocate for listening, learning, talking, and living independently with hearing loss. Through publications, outreach, training, scholarships, and financial aid, AG Bell promotes the use of spoken language and hearing technology. Headquartered in Washington, DC with chapters located in the United States and Canada and a network of international affiliates, AG Bell's global presence provides its members and the public with the support they need – close to home. With over a century of service, AG Bell supports its mission: Advocating Independence through Listening and Talking! For more information, contact AG Bell at (202) 337- 5220 or visit the AG Bell website at www.agbell.org.
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