Hearing & Vision

Below you will find a variety of resources to support early intervention professionals serving children who are visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing.

1. Early Childhood Hearing Outreach (ECHO) Initiative
2. Hearing and Vision Early Intervention Outreach (HV/EIO)
3. ProjectReach- Illinois Deaf-Blind Services
4. Deaf & Hard of Hearing Resources
5. Vision Resources

Early Childhood Hearing Outreach (ECHO) Initiative

The ECHO Initiative focuses on extending the benefits of periodic hearing screening to young children in a variety of health and education settings. The following materials may help you promote otoacoustic emissions (OAE) hearing screening:

• Rationale for Screening [PDF]
• OAE Screening Settings [PDF]
• OAE Screening Description [PDF]
• ECHO Overview and Webpage [PDF]
• ECHO Photo Montage [PDF]
• ECHO Position Paper [PDF]
• Using Otoacoustic Emissions to Screen for Hearing Loss in Early Childhood Care Settings - published in The International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology (2008) 72, 475-482
• Using Otoacoustic Emissions to Screen Young Children for Hearing Loss in Primary Care Settings, published in Pediatrics (June, 2013)

Hearing and Vision Early Intervention Outreach (HV/EIO)

HV/EIO is a statewide training and technical assistance program regarding infants and toddlers who are deaf, hard of hearing or visually impaired.

ProjectReach- Illinois Deaf-Blind Services 

Project Reach provides technical assistance, consultation, information, training, and family support to address the needs of children with deaf-blindness and their families.

Deaf & Hard of Hearing Resources

• Deaf Mentor Services - A guide to understanding Deaf Mentors as part of the Early Intervention team for families of children with hearing loss
• Developmental Therapist Hearing Services (DTH)- A guide to understanding DTHs as part of the Early Intervention team of children with hearing loss
• Provider Connections Deaf Mentor Search- A Deaf Mentor provider look-up on the Provider Connections website that allows individuals to search for Deaf Mentor's name, status in early intervention, and contact number.
• Service Guidelines for Young Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing- January 2006 (pdf) - Guidelines for Child and Family Connections Staff
• Working with Families with Children with Dual Sensory Loss: Serving Families of Children with Dual Sensory Loss - Online training module developed for any individual who might be working with families of children who are blind, visually impaired or dual sensory impaired.  This learning module provides a basic overview of what to be aware of when serving families of children who are blind, visually impaired or dual sensory impaired.  Also reviewed are basic screening methods, types of vision loss, including eligible diagnoses, the early intervention process, and services available.
• Institute for Parents of Preschool Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Illinois School for the Deaf - Provides information and support to families so they can make informed decisions on behalf of their child who is deaf or hard of hearing.
• Interpreter Search:
  • Provider Connections Interpreter Database Look-up
  • Illinois Deaf & Hard of Hearing Commission Interpreter Directory

Vision Resources

• Developmental Therapist Vision Services (DTV)- A guide to understanding DTVs as part of the Early Intervention team for families of children with vision loss.
• Service Guidelines for Young Children who are Blind and Visually Impaired- November 2005 (pdf) - Guidelines for Child and Family Connections Staff
• Working with Families with Children with Hearing Loss: Serving Families of Children with Hearing Loss - Online training module developed for any individual who might be working with families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.  This learning module provides a basic overview of screening, types of hearing loss including eligible diagnoses, the early intervention process and services available. An overview of what to be aware of when serving families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing is also presented.
• Parent Infant Institute: Illinois School for the Visually Impaired - Illinois School for the Visually Impaired (ISVI) is a residential/day school fully accredited by the North Central Association. The mission of the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired is to serve as a statewide resource offering students with visual impairments quality educational services which will enable them to become personally productive and self-sufficient citizens. ISVI provides educational programming for children from birth to 21 years of age.

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