Hear and Say WorldWide Progress
2000 – 2007
Australia: Training of over 200 parents, students and professionals in the Auditory-Verbal approach through the Hear and Say WorldWide’s Level I & II programs delivered in Queensland, Australia. Our courses have attracted participants throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas.
June 2006
Russia: Training of 35 professionals in the Auditory-Verbal approach.
July 2006
Approval of Hear and Say Board to extend mandate to support children with hearing loss globally by training professionals in hearing health and treatment.
March 2007
Germany: Preliminary investigation at a university hospital.
Russia: Auditory-Verbal training for 64 Russian professionals at the request of Cochlear Europe. Preparations are currently underway for a further training workshop for professionals from Russia and Kazachstan to be held in Moscow in March 2009.
April 2007
Successful deployment of audiology team to Utopia, Indigenous settlement in Northern Territory, Australia.
May 2007
• First stage of Mexican project completed with 2 professionals trained.
• Two Indian professionals trained
• P.N.G. University special teacher trainer completes her Hear and Say WorldWide Level II training course.
• Three Malaysian professionals trained.
June 2007
Malaysia: Proposal submitted at the request of the Malaysian Ministry of Health to assist in improving local success rates for the nation’s paediatric Cochlear Implant recipients. Samoa: Scholarship to “Hear and Say WorldWide” Levels I and II courses given to two professionals.
Papua New Guinea: A successful reconnaissance visit completed. Preliminary development of local networks and clinical and educational resources for commencement of a pilot project in Port Moresby. The project is expected to include a Cochlear Implant surgery education program and Auditory-Verbal therapy training for local teachers and parents. Diagnostic equipment has been donated by Scanmedics and is intended to be provided with training to ENT surgeons at Port Moresby General Hospital in 2008.
Oct 2007
Sydney, Australia: Official program launch by Hear and Say WorldWide Patron, His Excellency the Governor-General Major General Michael Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC.
China: At the request of Cochlear Asia Pacific, our clinical staff commenced development of 2 teaching resources designed to assist the parents of children diagnosed at 1-2 years of age and 2-3 years of age and their associated professionals in China. The programs have working titles of “Listen and Shine and Listen and Sparkle” and will be translated into Mandarin.
Nov 2007
Thailand: Preliminary international network development.
Mexico: Preliminary international network and Auditory-Verbal training proposal development including training scholarship.
India: Auditory-Verbal training proposal development including training scholarship applications for five key professionals.
March 2008
Hear and Say WorldWide initiates “Children of Tomorrow” group of projects.
May 2008
Hear and Say WorldWide Level I training to 15 international professionals.
June 2008
Reconnaissance trip to East Timor to establish viability of pilot project for “Children of Tomorrow” group of projects. Relationship formed with communidade Edmund Rice, East Timor.
July 2008
• Hear and Say WorldWide training to 60 professionals at Bolesta Center, Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
• “Children of Tomorrow” Quantum Group (International Supporters) formed at United States Scholar-Athlete Games, International Institute of Sport, Rhode Island University, U.S.A.
August 2008
• Hear and Say WorldWide Level II training to 14 international professionals.
• Relationship formed with Edmund Rice International.
• Whole country project for Samoa completed. Two professionals trained, cochlear implants and newborn hearing screening introduced to country and project continued by AUSAID.
• First stage of Sri-Lankan project completed. Training for Founding Principals of Centre for Education of Hearing Impaired Children accomplished and knowledge successfully passed on to 25 teachers in training. Stage II to involve provision of 40 hearing aids to children.