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Creating and funding programs that help children and young adults with hearing loss participate fully in all aspects of life.

FROM OUR DIRECTOR

Warmest greetings to you, our FHSR Community, we hope you are having a wonderful fall! Welcome to our first monthly newsletter. We are looking forward to sending you updates on our programming, opportunities to get involved with the Foundation and key resources that our Boards and Staff have been compiling in recent months to help your child on their hearing journey.

FHSR is on a mission to level the playing field for deaf and hard of hearing children in Illinois and we are thrilled to have you on this journey with us.

Have you had a chance to check out our new website? I hope you will take a few moments to rediscover FHSR. Join us at a future event, volunteer and support our programming or make a donation.
We welcome you to our community!

Kristen

Kristen Van Dyke, Executive Director

VISIT FHSR.ORG

FHSR Fall Events

FHSR was so excited to welcome Laurie Berkner, a nationally beloved children’s music artist at
Cheers for Ears 2021

Everyone who attended got to sing, dance and make music together virtually, while staying safe at home.

W atch the Concert

Cheers & Beers for Ears!

This year the Associate Board doubled their fundraising dollars with this great Associate Board Event.
The money raised will provide loaner hearing aids to Pediatric Hearing Aid Banks throughout Chicagoland.

CLICK HERE
to Donate

Walk For Hearing

FHSR was excited to become a sponsor for the Chicago HLAA Walk4Hearing. Board Director Heather Bennett and her Team Raq N Roll were amazing in leading the team for this event.
Thank you to all who either came out and walked with us or made a donation in support of HLAA and FHSR.

FACTS FOR FAMILIES

HOW HEARING WORKS

The auditory system is very complex. It's important to understand how the hearing process works and to compare that with what happens when this process is disrupted. This knowledge will help you to feel more comfortable and confident in understanding your child's hearing levels and making decisions.

1. Sounds enter the ear canal and travel to the eardrum.

2. These sound waves cause the eardrum to vibrate, sending the bones in the middle ear into motion.

3. Tiny hair cells (cilia) inside the inner ear (cochlea) convert this motion into electric impulses/signals. The ear has over 25,000 tiny hair cells to help you hear the varying degrees of sound.

These impulses/signals go up to the hearing (auditory) nerve to the brain. The brain interprets the impulses/signals as sound and gives meaning to the information.

If any part of the outer, middle, or inner ear isn't working properly, the ability to hear may be affected.

EXPLORE MORE FACTS FOR FAMILIES

FHSR Annual Appeal

November is the launch of our Annual Appeal to raise funding for the Hart Family Cochlear Implant Education Coordinator and other important program services. This position is located at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and is one of only a handful across the country that bridges out into the community providing key support for children, families and professionals who support implanted children.

The Education Coordinator plays a crucial role in educating professionals in the community so that children with cochlear implants get the appropriate support level they need. This position assists families in advocating for their children to ensure they receive appropriate services at school, classroom placements and helps school staff to support the unique learning needs of each implanted child. In addition, she trains frontline school personnel; supports educational planning and the creation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs); works with families to educate and assist them in managing their child’s needs; and facilitates communication between the child’s school and the parents.

Give Today and Make a Difference

STAY CONNECTED

There are so many ways to get involved with FHSR! Whether you want to be added to our mailing list and attend events, donate money or professional services; sponsor a student's Music to My Ears Scholarship or become a scholarship recipient; or perhaps join one of our thriving boards, we invite you to explore FHSR.

MAKE A GIFT