HearSay is an outreach activity of the Dallas Cochlear Implant Program providing networking opportunities, educational programs, and social events for families of hearing impaired children who use spoken language. Read what parents are saying about us.

History of HearSay

HearSay grew out of the dream of two moms and the tremendous support of an auditory-verbal therapist. As we faced the diagnosis and treatment of our own children’s hearing loss we dreamed of a place where families of hearing impaired children could come together. We needed the practical insight into raising hearing impaired children that can come only from those who have personally experienced it. We needed educational programs that would guide us in making decisions for our children. And perhaps most importantly, we needed a place where our children could regularly come together with other children “just like them”.

The first HearSay program was a parent panel held February 26, 2006. Since that time a variety of professionals have led our educational programs on topics including: Medical Issues of Hearing Impaired Children, FM Systems and Assistive Technology, Advocating for My Child and Teaching My Child to Advocate for Himself, and How to Handle the Times Your Child Can’t Wear Amplification, just to name a few. Each of our educational programs provides the opportunity for parents to casually visit with one another and professionals, while graduate students supervise activities for our children. For family fun we also hold events like our "Christmas Carnival" and "Day at the Park".

In January, 2008, with 36 families, 13 professionals, and a number of graduate students participating, HearSay became a sponsored activity of the Dallas Cochlear Implant Program. As such we look forward to offering even more programs to further our mission of Connecting Families of Hearing Impaired Children. On behalf of the families of HearSay we wish to express our deepest appreciation to the Dallas Cochlear Implant Program and Melissa Sweeney, MS, CCC/SLP, Cert. AVT, for their generous support.

We hope you will join us for our upcoming programs.

Janette Cantwell
-mother of Megan, profound bilateral hearing loss, bilateral cochlear implant user

Amy Fields
-mother of Andrew, severe to profound hearing loss, cochlear implant and hearing aid user