The House Research Institute’s (HRI’s) 27th Annual Family Camp for children with hearing loss and their families is filled to capacity, setting an attendance record with families and counselors for the forth straight year.

Marilee Potthoff, director of community education and outreach at House Research Institute, commented in the press statement, “Our record attendance really shows a growing demand for this type of family program. Our camp has a unique ability to bring families of all economic and cultural backgrounds and philosophies together in a reassuring atmosphere that often results in lifelong friendships and improved communications, both inside and outside the family unit.”

Shortly after the first pediatric cochlear implants became available in the early 1980s, Dr Howard House recognized the need for families with children who had hearing loss to get together to learn and share ideas in a relaxed, safe environment. Many families come back year after year because the camp offers a comfortable forum in a supportive atmosphere that helps build self-esteem, friendships, and respect for each other’s differences and decisions.

Presentations this year will include:

  • "Raisin’ Better Readers," presented by Debbie Schrader, educational liaison at the House Research Institute. The presentation will explain trends in literacy, how to identify milestones in early reading achievement as well as how to gain strategies for supporting the early reader at home.
  • "What Can Technology Do," which will cover everything from hearing aids, to bone conduction aids and cochlear implants. Parents will have a better understanding of what are reasonable expectations for what the technology alone can provide and when other factors influence the way technology works. In addition, the discussion will include the candidacy criteria for each device and the value of good rehab exercises.
  • A talk by Ray Goldsworthy, PhD, a House Research Institute scientist who has a cochlear implant. Goldsworthy will share his personal story with hearing loss and how he went on to receive a PhD from Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In addition, the children will experience a wide variety of group-oriented sports, educational, and creative expression activities throughout the weekend.

For more information and a full description of the events, visit HRI’s website at www.houseresearchinstitute.org.

SOURCE: House Research Institute