LOUISVILLE, KY (August 30th, 2022): The Heuser Hearing Institute is thrilled and honored to announce the approval of the “KY HEARS Healthcare Initiative,” a program aimed at closing the education and employment gap for Kentuckians who are deaf or hard of hearing. The initiative is the result of a collaborative effort by Heuser, Kentucky lawmakers, the executive branch and other stakeholders. The Heuser Hearing Institute created “KY HEARS” to develop a plan that increases access to hearing healthcare, especially in rural areas throughout Kentucky that do not readily have access. Lawmakers, led by Speaker of the House David Osborne and Senate Majority Caucus Chair Julie Raque Adams, allocated $3 million towards the program in the budget passed earlier this year.
“I’m extremely pleased that we were able to invest in a program that will not only increase our workforce but also recognizes that Kentuckians who are deaf or hard of hearing can lead successful, happy, and fulfilling lives while contributing to their community. I appreciate the work that Heuser does as well as their commitment to making this initiative a reality” says Speaker of the House David Osborne.
According to the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the state of Kentucky ranks third per capita nationally in people identified as deaf or hard of hearing. Nearly 700,000 (16%) of Kentuckians are deaf or hard of hearing. In addition, Kentucky ranks 51st nationally in both high school completion and the employment rate for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
“Our team of professionals at Heuser Hearing Institute is passionate about improving the education and employment gaps of those within the deaf or hard of hearing community. This grant will give our team the tools and ability to change lives and improve the Kentucky rankings overall for those who are deaf or hard of hearing,” says Heuser Hearing Institute CEO Brett Bachmann.
Heuser Hearing Institute is proud to work with the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to provide the best available technology to Kentuckians. For more information, please email kyhears@thehearinginstitute.org.
About KY HEARS AND HEUSER HEARING INSTITUTE:
“KY HEARS” (Hearing Healthcare Equal Access Reaching Statewide) is a statewide hearing healthcare initiative of Heuser Hearing Institute. Heuser Hearing Institute worked passionately with state Legislators to develop a plan to close the education and achievement gaps for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing throughout the state. For more information, email kyhears@thehearinginstitute.org. Heuser Hearing Institute (HHI) promotes the needs of children and adults with disorders of hearing and balance. Our organization has served Kentuckiana since 1948. HHI began as an educational center called the Louisville Deaf Oral School many decades ago. In 2008, Heuser’s scope and mission officially expanded into the Heuser Hearing Institute. Today, the institute includes three facilities: the Heuser Hearing & Language Academy, which offers outstanding preschool and kindergarten programs for children with hearing loss and speech disorders; the Heuser Hearing Clinic, which is home to a full-time staff of audiologists serving patients of all ages; and the regional Heuser Early Intervention Program, which provides home-based services for infants and toddlers through the Kentucky and Indiana First Steps programs. For more information visit www.thehearinginstitute.org