Clinical Services and Programs
Audiology
Lynne Canales, M.A., Deaf
Educator, leads the
preschool communication
group.
The audiologist evaluates your child’s hearing. He or she will also recommend and fit hearing aids and other amplifying devices to help your child hear to the best of his/her ability. The audiologist will monitor your child’s hearing and use of hearing aids/amplifying devices on a regular basis. He or she will make ear molds, check hearing aids for malfunctions, and adjust hearing aid programming to ensure the best hearing possible.
Pediatric Otolaryngology (ENT)
The pediatric otolaryngologist is concerned with feeding and breathing issues and has special expertise in dealing with these difficulties. With the audiologist, the otolaryngologist is primarily responsible for evaluating hearing, ear infections and persistent fluid in the ears. The otolaryngologist may recommend and place ventilation tubes in the eardrum to reduce infections, clear middle ear fluid and improve hearing. The otolaryngologist is also trained in the medical and surgical treatments for sinus infections, nasal airway obstruction, obstructive sleep apnea, speech or resonance abnormalities, cleft lip and palate repair and cosmetic and reconstructive procedures such as rhinoplasty or scar revision.
Clinical Social Work
Sanya Richardson, M.A.,
CCC-A works with Mena in
the diagnostic audiology
program.
The social worker obtains information about your family in order to provide you with resource and educational information and materials, as well as counseling and support. As your child grows, his/her needs change as well. The social worker is available on an ongoing basis to help with the many changes your child experiences as he/she goes through the stages of childhood and adolescence.
Deaf Education
The Deaf Educator, along with the Speech Pathologist and Aural Habilitation Audiologist, implements and teaches the family strategies to master the goals that are established on each child’s Individualized Family Service Plan and Treatment Plan. He or she will help the family understand communication options, auditory training techniques and school options available for each family depending upon the area that they live in. The Deaf Educator is a liaison between the school district and Children's Hospital Colorado for children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing.
Dylan checks the ear of Dr.
Chan, Chairman of the
Department of
Otolaryngology.
Genetic counselors specialize in understanding how hearing loss and other disabilities may be inherited from parents or grandparents. With you and your family, the genetic counselor will review your family’s history of hearing loss and other disabilities and help identify the cause and potential treatment for your child’s hearing loss. He or she will also help identify the possibility of any other disabilities related to the cause of your child’s hearing loss.
Family Health Library
Children's Hospital Colorado Main campus location offers a Family Health Library to provide information in broad areas such as parenting, child development and medical diagnosis in children.
Speech-Language Services
Children who are deaf and/or hard-of hearing need help in developing, speech-language and communication skills. The speech-language/aural habilitation specialist on the team will evaluate your child’s communication needs and abilities. He or she will help you understand the various communication choices available for teaching your child. With the audiologist and clinical social worker, the speech-language/aural habilitation specialist will identify specific programs and services available to your child and family.
