Hearing Loss, Improving Quality of Life Focus of TAMIU Oct. 1 Presentation

If you or someone you know suffers from hearing loss, help and resources are available.

Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) College of Education invites those in the community affected by hearing loss to an informational meeting about hearing loss and how to improve their quality of life Wednesday, Oct. 1 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. in the Student Center Theater, room 236.

 The presentation is open and free to the public.

Two guests, Lois Johnson, president of the Houston chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA); and Cristina Muñoz, Hearing Loss Resource Specialist from the Communication Axess Ability Group (CAAG), will make presentations about telephone options for people with hearing loss.

Dr. Sumalai Maroonroge, associate professional for the TAMIU College of Education department of Professional Programs, said besides informing the public about free caption phones the State of Texas provides for people with hearing loss, the meeting serves to determine the types of needs people with hearing loss have in the community.

“We would like to get to know who has hearing loss here in Laredo, what kinds of services they have and if it is possible to organize an HLAA chapter here in Laredo so they can have access to information they need,” Dr. Maroonroge said.

Maroonroge, who teaches an audiology class, said audiology students will be a part of the meeting so that depending on the needs expressed at the gathering, they will be able to assist in conducting audiology tests at a later date.

“The students’ participation will be part of their service learning component, where they learn in the classroom and, at the same time, do something that helps the community,” Maroonroge said.

Students will work in conjunction with TAMIU’s Communication Disorders Center (CDC), a clinic that is a University training program.

Assessment and intervention services are performed by undergraduate students under the supervision of clinical supervisors certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and licensed by the State of Texas. The Center provides services in both English and Spanish under the leadership of Melissa García and Rosa Robledo, who are clinical assistant professors with extensive working and teaching experiences.

The Center, which opened in 2007, provides services to children and adults with speech-language disorders regardless of their family’s ability to pay for the services.

Services include assessment and intervention for both children and adults with all types of speech disorders including apraxia, articulation and phonological, fluency, language delay or disorder, neurological impairments, language-based reading and writing and voice disorders.

For more information, please contact Dr. Maroonroge, at 326.2682, e-mail sumalai.maroonroge@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 427B.

University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu