Resources

Listed here are websites that parents will find useful in explaining the history of oral-deaf education, the OPTION Schools network, hearing loss, and cochlear implants. If you are looking for information not found on this page, please contact MOSD at (901) 758-2228

AG Bell

The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing helps families, health care providers and education professionals understand childhood hearing loss and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. Through advocacy, education, research and financial aid, AG Bell helps to ensure that every child and adult with hearing loss has the opportunity to listen, talk and thrive in mainstream society. With chapters located in the United States and a network of international affiliates, AG Bell supports its mission: Advocating Independence through Listening and Talking! To learn more, visit the AG Bell website here.

OPTION

MOSD is a member of OPTION Schools Inc., this membership organization of Auditory Oral Schools is made up of 50 schools world-wide which work closely with parents and communities, teaching children who are deaf or hard of hearing to listen and talk -- and succeed! Founded in 1980, OPTION worked to bring together Listening and Spoken Language schools to share resources and overcome challenges. Today OPTION Schools Inc. continues in their mission, supporting its members and working to significantly improve awareness of auditory-oral education. Visit their website for more information for parents and professionals.

Cochlear

Cochlear is the global leader in implantable hearing solutions. It has a dedicated global team of 2,000 people who deliver the gift of sound to the hearing impaired in over 100 countries. Its vision is to connect people, young and old, to a world of sound by offering life enhancing hearing solutions. Cochlear’s mission of “Hear now. And always” embodies the company’s commitment to providing its recipients with the best possible hearing performance today and for the rest of their lives. Over 25 years Cochlear has helped over 200,000 people either hear for the first time or reconnect them to their families, friends, workplaces and communities. Visit the Cochlear website here.

Advanced Bionics

Advanced Bionics is a global leader in developing the most advanced cochlear implant systems in the world. Founded in 1993 and partnered with Phonak under the Sonova Group in 2009, AB is the only American company developing cutting-edge cochlear implant technology that restores hearing to the deaf and allows our recipients to hear their best today, tomorrow, and always. At AB, our mission is to improve lives by developing, manufacturing, marketing, and supporting high-quality, state-of-the-art hearing technology for those with severe to profound hearing loss. Visit the Advanced Bionics website here.

Med El

MED-EL offers implantable solutions across the hearing loss spectrum, including cochlear and middle ear implants, and combined electric-acoustic stimulation. When the scientists and engineers who founded MED-EL began researching cochlear implant technology in the 1970s, they made a commitment to consistently reinvest a substantial percentage of the company’s revenue in research and development, keeping that promise for more than 30 years. Past and present research has led to innovations such as bilateral cochlear implantation and electric-acoustic stimulation. Research efforts contribute not only to advances in technology, but also to expanding candidacy criteria and improvements in medical reimbursement. Visit the MED-EL website here.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

ASHA is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 140,000 members and affiliates who are speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists in the United States and internationally. Visit the ASHA website here.