Transforming Lives of Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Who We Are
Listening Together is a global nonprofit organization that empowers parents of children who are deaf and trains professionals to provide high-quality intervention. We offer virtual and in-person events on various topics related to education and rehabilitation of children who are deaf-and-hard-of-hearing (DHH). Since 2017, 500+ parents and professionals in India and worldwide have attended our online and in-person events.
Dr. Uma Soman, teacher of deaf and hard of hearing children and a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (Cert AVEd.) with 20+ years of experience is the Co-Founder and Director of Listening Together.
Uma Mididaddi, a parent of a young adult who is bilateral cochlear implant user is the President of the Listening Together Board of Directors.
The two Umas and the Listening Together board plan and implement various Listening Together activities with support from a growing group of volunteers.
What We Do
01.
We Empower Families
Families are the experts on the child. They are the primary facilitator and the advocate for the child. We empower families to work in partnership with professionals to achieve their desired outcomes for their child.
02.
We Build Capacity
Developing knowledge, skills, and dispositions among professionals – teachers, therapists, audiologists, so that they in turn can provide high-quality family-centered intervention is a primary focus of our work.
03.
We Develop Tools and Resources
Tools for implementing high-quality listening and spoken language intervention, including assessments have been created. Trainings for using these tools is provided.
04.
We Foster Leadership
We believe in creating change at the grass root level. Each individual is capable of bringing about change in their community. We foster leadership among families and professionals through various activities.
05.
We Create Awareness
Webinars and other materials have been developed in English, Hindi, and Marathi to create awareness related to hearing loss in children and strategies for developing their listening and spoken language skills.
06.
We Invest in Professional Development
A majority of professionals receiving training through Listening Together receive scholarships. We consider these scholarships an investment in the workforce that will provide high-quality intervention.
Impact Stories
Riya, Speech-Language Pathologist & Audiologist, Ear Science Center, Hubli, India
Dr. Uma Soman and Listening Together has been an incredible influence on my professional journey in the field of AVT. Since meeting her, my understanding of taking therapy, especially with children who are DHH, has expanded significantly. Every day feels like a new learning experience, thanks to her guidance.
Feeling more confident in therapy sessions or coaching parents has been a direct result of Dr. Soman’s mentorship. As my next step in making a significant difference in the lives of children with DHH and their families, i am pursuing LSLS certification under her guidance.
Neha Bansal, Mother of Aviraj,
Noida, India
LT – a very short and compact name but has a very deep and bigger impact on our lives. I would love to share my thoughts and feedback for Listening Together as follows:-
Listening Together has helped me to teach how to make my child independent and to lead a very normal life. Listening Together has helped me to understand whatever the situations will be / what people say, how should I tackle those situations calmly and patiently. Listening Together has helped my child in developing his speech and from speech we are moving towards language. Without the support / training from Listening Together I wouldn’t be able to make myself and my child so much strong, fun loving, putting my efforts in the right direction and reaching towards our goals.
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