Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma recently awarded Hearts for Hearing a generous grant of $225,000 to support its Newborn Hearing Screen (NBHS) services across the state. The newborn hearing screening is done shortly after birth to help diagnose hearing loss in newborns.
“Early detection of hearing loss is critical for optimal brain development in children born deaf,” says Joanna Smith, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hearts for Hearing. “Babies who are deaf are learning to listen and talk like typical children when they are diagnosed early, fit with technology, and enrolled in listening and spoken language therapy,” she added. “When we do what it takes from the very beginning, children who are deaf are achieving great things. We are grateful to the Masonic Charity Foundation for changing the lives of babies impacted by hearing loss,” concluded Smith.
John Logan, Executive Director of the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma added, “Public wellness and education have long been focal points of our mission. Hearing loss can present great challenges for children and their ability to attain educational goals, have meaningful relationships, and enjoy the same opportunities as their hearing peers. Early detection and therapy can provide life-changing help for children with hearing loss, as they learn to listen and talk.”
Hearts for Hearing offers a unique model where pediatric audiologists and speech-language pathologists work together with families. The organization provides the first set of hearing aids to Oklahoma children at no cost to families., Hearts for Hearing also provides hearing care for adults.
###
About Hearts for Hearing: Hearts for Hearing is a comprehensive hearing health clinic for both children and adults headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK with clinics in Tulsa and Shawnee. It was founded as a 501(c)3 to provide funding for the first set of hearing aids for children with hearing loss in Oklahoma. Its mission has expanded to become a comprehensive hearing health clinic for both children and adults. It provides industry-leading services, technology, and research services. Its collaborative model of audiologists and speech-language pathologists working together helps enable the best outcomes for its patients.
