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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

Happy Holidays!
It is hard to believe that 2021 is coming to a close and we are about to celebrate a new year. This is the time of year that we reflect and give thanks to all of our supporters and strategic partners for helping to make a difference in deaf and hard of hearing children’s lives.
Our expanded programming, advocacy and outreach would not have been possible without the support of our donors and the community, so to all of you who have helped us to make our mission a reality, thank you!

Our work is not completed!
We are looking forward to 2022 and the opportunity to level the playing field for children living with hearing loss through our music programming, educational support, and clinical & community outreach.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, we are wishing you and yours a healthy & happy holiday season and new year!

Kristen

Kristen Van Dyke, Executive Director

VISIT FHSR.ORG

Join us in Supporting Kids
with Hearing loss

Supporting Children’s Education

Each year, Hart Family Cochlear Implant Education Coordinator Jennifer Haney, MEd, assists more than 210 patients and families to help every child meet their educational goals and manage stress during the pandemic. During these challenging times, she has adjusted her work to help educators, therapists and parents guide and properly support children. Jen is a key resource for parents, education professionals and therapists who suddenly must adapt to virtual learning, telehealth and related circumstances. She provides resources and strategies that contribute to effective support during this difficult time.

Give Today and Make a Difference

Give the Gift of Hearing

The Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources (FHSR) supports crucial services provided by the Audiology and Cochlear Implant Program at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

Lurie Children’s top expertise has changed the lives of many children with hearing loss and made the cochlear implantation program the world’s largest. This year, the program marks 30 years of success and has performed 2,100+ implantations since its inception. Demonstrating exemplary leadership for thedeaf and hard-of-hearing community, Nancy Young, MD, founder and medical director of the program, had the honor of being elected to the American Otological Society Council to support groundbreaking hearing science and translation into medical practice.

Donate Now

Leading a group of 18 multidisciplinary professionals at Lurie Children’s, Dr. Nancy Young heads one of the largest and most comprehensive pediatric audiology and cochlear implant programs in the nation. Lurie Children’s continues to expand its status as a worldwide leader in evaluating and implanting children with multiple or complex medical issues, and providing essential services and key staff positions some of which were made possible by FHSR funding.

As of 2020, Lurie Children’s Hospital and Dr. Nancy Young have performed over 2100 cochlear implantations.They have expanded Audiology services at all the satellite centers throughout the suburbs of Chicago, diagnosed and treated 198 children with permanent hearing loss, performed 117 cochlear implantations and loaner hearing aids were dispensed 328 times to children allowing them to not miss a beat or a moment of their hearing life.

Meet our Director

Director Steve Hallenbeck

Stephen A. Hallenbeck, AuD, is an Audiology Manager at Phonak within the Audiology and Education team in Aurora, IL.

Steve explained to us why he joined the FHSR Board
Personally, my passion is all about sound. As I’ve grown and explored this passion, I’ve been extremely fortunate to be able to study, perform, write and teach music as a musician AND help individuals with varying hearing abilities enjoy the gift of sound and well-being as an audiologist. Obviously, FHSR exists at a cross-section of music and hearing that so closely mirrors what I most value in my professional life. The Music to My Ears program has a special resonance with me as I have seen throughout my life firsthand how music education is such a strong connector, confidence builder and a true life enhancer. Since better hearing goes beyond the use of technology alone, I’m thrilled to support access to music education and ensure that the transformative power music can live in each one of us!

To learn more about our Directors

MTME - New Partner School
Music Makers.

Located in Western Springs, our new MTME scholarship partner school Music Makers offers individual music instrument lessons in Piano, Guitar, Drum and Violin.
FHSR is very excited to be adding a Music Theater option to the scholarship program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids.

To learn more about Music Makers programming

click here

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