Find groups that can connect you with other parents of children with hearing loss, learn about communication options, and get information to help with other health conditions.
American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) is a non-profit parent-helping-parent organization promoting a positive attitude toward signing and Deaf culture. It also provides support, encouragement, and current information about deafness to families with deaf and hard of hearing children.
Division for Early Childhood (DEC) promotes policies and advances evidence-based practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of young children (0-8) who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities.
Fostering Joy is a movement to celebrate the magic of raising children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
Hands & Voices is a non-profit, parent-driven organization dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Hands and Voices Phone App. The app is designed especially for the needs of parents of children newly identified as deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) and navigating a new path with their child. Each day for 90 days, parents receive 4 valuable tools: wisdom from experienced parents, insight from adults who are D/HH, articles related to raising a child who is D/HH and a Resource/website to explore. The app is available for android and iOS. Search “Hands & Voices” in your app store to locate it.
Hearing First offers families and professionals ways to improve outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing through listening and spoken language.
Listening and Spoken Language Knowledge Center for children and adults with hearing loss, their families and the professionals who support them.
National Cued Speech Association supports effective communication, language development and literacy between individuals, families, infants and children alike through the use of Cued Speech.
Signing Time was created to help all parents and children better communicate. Our vision of the world is one in which all children -- regardless of their abilities -- can express themselves, feel valued and understood, and be supported in achieving their full potential.
The Signing Exact English Center (SEE) provides training and support for those who use Signing Exact English. The center provides resources, workshops, and consulting services related to communication, in general, and SEE, in particular.
Support group for parents of kids with hearing loss: This is a support group for parents whose kids have hearing loss and related disorders and use either hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other technology. I have created this group to share information, support each other, learn together and ultimately to provide our kids the best possible opportunity for growth and development. The group also welcomes professionals who are passionate about helping kids with hearing loss and are able to provide some valuable insight into the issues parent’s encounter.
Parents of Children with Unilateral Hearing Loss: Hi All, I created this page to support others with similar hearing loss as my son. I have a 4-year-old with severe Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss, diagnosed at our newborn hearing screening before leaving the hospital, confirmed at 5 months, and aided at 8 months old. He has done so well during his first years of life, dealing with, and even hiding his loss. I see him struggling now in preschool and we are gearing up for kindergarten and our first IEP meeting this summer. I would love to share our stories as well as hear everyone else's stories, whether they are happy or sad... progression along with any struggles you may have endured. I just ask that we keep things clean and considerate.
Fostering Joy – Families of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children: This is a group for families of children who are deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH). To join, you must be the family member of a deaf/hard of hearing child. There are no exceptions to this rule as we want this to be a safe, inviting place for family members to connect and celebrate their journey. We ask that anyone posting stays focused on the mission of the group - to share stories of joy while raising our kids who are deaf or hard of hearing. For questions and resources, please reach out to your local parent organization. Our admins are happy to help connect you. Mission Statement: "Fostering Joy" is designed to promote the joy of raising a child who is deaf or hard of hearing. Fostering Joy provides support and resources for families to positively engage in the growth and development of a child who is D/HH. Focusing on special moments that bring joy helps families set aside concerns that may inadvertently distract from their otherwise natural and loving parent-child interactions. Nurturing and supportive caregivers provide a strong foundation for the development of overall social and emotional health and well-being.
Parents of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children: This group is for Parents that need tips, advice, ideas or just need to talk about raising a Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child. No bashing, no rude comments and no negative comments or you will be deleted. It will not be tolerated.
Parents of Deaf Kids: Sign Language, Community, Culture: MISSION STATMENT: This group has been formed by and for parents of Deaf children who use sign language for the purpose of providing support, information, education, connection, and resources for parenting our Deaf kids. The group includes both parents of Deaf children AND members of the Deaf Community because we cherish the wisdom that the Deaf Community has to offer our children through their lived experience as Deaf people, whether they are parents or not. Because our Deaf kids will someday grow up to be Deaf adults, we welcome and encourage respectful dialogue around issues important to the Deaf community. Above all, this is an AUDISM FREE ZONE, which means that there will be no tolerance for comments which either directly state or imply that hearing ways of being in the world are better than Deaf ways of being in the world.
Parents of Deaf Children SUPPORT: This group is about support and information. I want everyone to feel free to ask stupid questions, add their comments and their feelings or point of view. There will be no name calling, no derogatory comments toward anyone and choices that they have made for THEIR children. Respect each other. Support each other. Some here are deaf, some are parents with knowledge of the deaf community, and some are parents with deaf kids. All are welcome as long as they are respectful.
College Bound for the Deaf/Hoh: This group is an informational group for PARENTS, geared to those who have mainstreamed DEAF HIGH SCHOOL-AGED TEENS. College-age students who are deaf/HoH are also welcomed as a form of appropriate support and suggestions for families looking for firsthand guidance. The focus is to offer suggestions and support for the transition to a good-fit MAINSTREAM college/university in the United States and Canada. Broader issues might include scholarships for deaf students, advantageous (or disadvantageous) admissions policies; loans, grants; use of CART or interpreter services; good strategies for essays and interviews, advice on participation and activities, all with the focus of finding and making a good college fit for our deaf teens. ALL are welcome (oral, ASL and Cued Speech) with the understanding that mainstreamed school systems vary from country to country and even from State to State.
Homeschooling Parents of Deaf/HoH Kids: This group has been created as a way to connect with other parents that are homeschooling their deaf or hard of hearing kids. Please remember that mode of communication and education choices are deeply personal and polarizing issues. The intent of this group is to share resources, ideas, and support, not as a platform for espousing one ideology over another.
Parents of Children with Hearing Aids: A place for parents to come together and discuss their stories, experiences, share information, and find support while going through life with children who wear hearing aids! No GoFundMe posts allowed as we cannot verify the validity of these.
CI Moms: Moms of kids w/ cochlear implants!
Parents of Children with Cochlear Implants: A place for parents/guardians who have children with cochlear implants to share ideas and receive support. We also welcome parents who are considering cochlear implants for their children.
Families of Children with Hearing Loss: For information about this support group, please request access to the group.
Learn the Signs. Act Early Program, developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) aims to improve early identification of children with autism and other developmental disabilities so children and families can get the services and support they need. From birth to 5 years, children should reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move. This program helps parents track their child’s development and act early if they have concern.
To learn about the program, go to: https://youtu.be/9Ithxd5KWhw or https://youtu.be/uD68lmY9TWI (in ASL).
Family Support Network (FSN) of North Carolina enhances the lives of children who have special needs by providing support, education, and caring connections to their families. Find an FSN affiliate program that services your county.
First Resource Center connects individuals with disabilities and their families with the resources they need to thrive in the community including coordinating with government agencies, schools, or community partners.Serving Buncombe, Henderson, and Madison counties.
BEGINNINGS for Parents of Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing assists parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, deaf parents with hearing children and professionals serving them from birth through age 21 by providing information and support to empower them as informed decision makers. Support is provided by helping parents access services, promoting early identification of hearing loss and awareness of early intervention programs and educational services.
North Carolina Hands & Voices is a non-profit, parent-driven organization dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The CARE Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing hope to families who have children and/or adults with hearing challenges through counseling experiences aimed at the processing of the emotional stages of grief. Family retreats are organized, funded, and hosted by The CARE Project.
Camp Cheerio (May) in Glade Valley, NC for deaf and hard of hearing children and their families of all ages.
Camp Dogwood (September) in Sherrills Ford, NC for Deaf-Blind adults and teens.
Camp Woodbine (October) in Raleigh, NC is for hearing impaired children age 3 and above and their families. Free.
Sertoma Deaf Camp (June) in Ellerbe, NC is for children ages 8-16 who are deaf, hard of hearing, or signing.
Hearing Impaired Toddlers and Children Have Unlimited Potential (HITCH-UP)groups are organized and led by parents of children with hearing loss and share information and support with other families at several locations across the state.
NOTE: For Facebook pages, you may be prompted to log in to your personal Facebook account before you are taken to the HITCH-UP page. These are private groups so you will need to submit a request to join the group.
HITCHUP Groups:
NC Hands & Voices Family Group: Hands & Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are DHH without a bias around communication modes or methodology. We are a parent-driven, non-profit organization providing families with the resources, networks, and information they need to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children. Our outreach activities, parent/professional collaboration, and advocacy efforts are focused on enabling D/HH children to reach their highest potential.
The CARE Project: The CARE Project provides emotional support for families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing through family retreats and support groups!
Families of the Children’s Cochlear Implants Center at UNC: Welcome to the Families of The Children's Cochlear Implant Center at UNC group! We are so glad that you are here! We wanted to provide a space that allows our families to easily network, share their stories, and ask questions. Please know: This is a closed group; whatever is shared in the group, stays in the group. Please comment with honesty, kindness, and respect for other people. Offensive comments or personal attacks are not appropriate, nor allowed. If ANY member sees such posts or comments, please contact an admin immediately. When asking to join the group, please share your child's name so that the page administrators can just confirm your connection to the Children's Cochlear Implant Center at UNC! Thanks in advance!
NC Parent Support Group (for Parents of Children Who Are Deaf/Hoh): For information about this support group, please request access to the group.
Spanish:
Triunfa Caracol Latino: Este es un grupo de apoyo para los padres que tienen niños con pérdidas auditiva de cualquier tipo. Por éste medio nos podemos aconsejar unos con otros, compartir experiencias o simplemente publicar algún comentario relacionado con el tema.
This Resource List is provided by the North Carolina Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program and its partners including members from the Burke County Learning Community, service agencies, family support organizations, and parents of children with special healthcare needs as a service for individuals who wish to locate pediatric audiology resources in their local area, statewide, and nationally. The NC EHDI Program makes no warranty of the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of this information, and shall not be liable for any decision made in reliance on this information. It is the user's responsibility to verify this information.