Oberkotter Foundation

Today marks an important milestone for the Oberkotter Foundation.? Guided by the latest in #science and driven by the promise of what’s possible, the Board of Trustees is releasing more details of the Foundation’s vision for a future of limitless possibilities for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Foundation’s strategic plan includes visionary goals and bold actions to pave the way for a more inclusive, supportive future for children with hearing loss and their families.? At the heart of the Foundation’s plan is a focus on advancing science and #innovation to identify and bridge gaps in care so that children with hearing loss have the opportunity to develop age-appropriate listening, talking, and literacy skills.? Read more about the strategic plan and the Foundation’s vision for the future on the newly redesigned website.??https://bit.ly/4bOxPfL

The Oberkotter Foundation today announced the formation of the Scientific Council for Childhood Hearing, a new initiative dedicated to analyzing the science of listening, language, and literacy for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Congenital hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit in children worldwide, yet navigating the complexities of childhood hearing support remains a significant challenge for many families. The Scientific Council aims to address these challenges through multidisciplinary collaboration rooted in scientific inquiry. Composed of leading experts from diverse fields—including audiology, medicine, neuroscience, speech pathology, literacy, deaf education, and public health—the Scientific Council represents a pivotal step forward in advancing our understanding of childhood hearing and creating a world where all children have opportunities to thrive. Learn more about the Scientific Council and meet its esteemed members here: https://bit.ly/3QEUAKK

The Trustees of the Oberkotter Foundation are pleased to announce Dr. Cedric Von Pritchett, MD, MPH, will join the Board of Trustees beginning in the new year.? As a pediatric otolaryngologist and clinical investigator, Dr. Pritchett brings a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience working with families of children with hearing loss to the Foundation.? Dr. Pritchett’s background closely aligns with the Foundation’s mission and goals, particularly his work researching the barriers to care for families with the fewest resources.? Together with his fellow Trustees, Dr. Pritchett will support the Foundation’s efforts to improve access to pediatric hearing healthcare and help families ensure their children with hearing loss have opportunities to reach their full potential through listening and spoken language.? Read more about Dr. Pritchett's background on the Oberkotter Foundation website. #BoardofTrustees #OberkotterFoundation #LinkedInNewsletter

In Case You Missed It:?? The Philadelphia Inquirer captured the life and legacy of the Oberkotter Foundation’s visionary leader, Mildred Oberkotter, in a moving obituary feature. If you haven’t read her #inspiringstory and how the Oberkotter Foundation began, click here: https://lnkd.in/d84UipBg ?? ? #OberkotterFoundation #legacy #obituary #inspiringstory?

Are you signed up to hear from the Oberkotter Foundation??? ? The Foundation is committed to communicating regularly about creating opportunities for children with hearing loss and reducing barriers to Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) outcomes. The Foundation believes that together, we can strengthen our combined efforts to make a significant difference in listening, spoken language, and literacy outcomes for all children and their families.? ? Let’s join together in this mission! Sign up for the #newsletter to hear the latest from the Oberkotter Foundation. https://lnkd.in/eUcPybD7? ?? #HearingLoss #LSL #PediatricAudiology #OberkotterFoundation?

It all started with one family in 1985....? ?? The Oberkotter Foundation is based on one family’s story and a life-changing idea that sparked a legacy to support thousands of families who have a child with hearing loss so they may have a future with unlimited opportunities.?? ? This mission is deeply personal, inspired by the Oberkotter's daughter, Mildred (Mildie), who was diagnosed at age two as profoundly deaf.? ? Communication options for Mildie were limited in the 1930s. Hearing aids were not nearly as advanced as today, and cochlear implants were decades away from being invented. Many families might have braced themselves for a life defined by hardship and limitations. Not Paul and Louise Oberkotter.? ?? The Oberkotters decided that their daughter would learn to communicate through speaking and lip reading. Recognizing the importance of appropriate support, they sought out hearing specialists, organizations, and other resources.?? ? ?This ignited the spark of an idea. ?? ? Fifty years later, with Mildie’s support and vision, Paul and Louise established the Oberkotter Foundation to support families and increase access to resources without needing to relocate or send their child away to a specialized school.? ? By that point, significant advancements had been made, yet there were still few programs using Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) strategies and principles to teach babies and young children with hearing loss to listen and talk. With earlier identification and new technologies on the horizon, The Oberkotters saw a bright future for children with hearing loss to achieve excellent LSL outcomes. Since its inception, the Oberkotter Foundation has been a catalyst for change, focusing on removing barriers and increasing access to LSL outcomes through:? -quality LSL early intervention services,?? -coordinated care between audiologists and LSL professionals,?? -guiding and coaching families, ? -leveraging telehealth for infants and toddlers.?? ??? The Oberkotter family’s #legacy of support lives on, providing hope and opportunity for countless families and children with hearing loss.? ? #HearingLoss #LSL #PediatricAudiology #OberkotterFoundation??

Improving outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing requires a commitment to advancing science and innovation to advance practices. The Oberkotter Foundation’s strategic plan includes the ambitious goals and bold actions necessary to make progress toward a future with limitless opportunities for children with hearing loss.? The activities and initiatives outlined in the plan position the Foundation to impact collaborative efforts to improve? #pediatricaudiology outcomes and enhance the development of Listening and Spoken Language (#LSL) and literacy skills for children who are deaf or hard of hearing by:? ? Driving science and innovation,? ? Influencing hearing healthcare and LSL practices, and?? ? Fostering collaborations. Read more about the vision for a more inclusive and supportive future for children and their families on the Oberkotter website: https://bit.ly/4bOxPfL #OberkotterFoundation #StrategicPlan

The Oberkotter Foundation’s work and initiatives are driven by its mission to help families ensure their children who are deaf or hard of hearing have opportunities to reach their full potential through listening and spoken language.? The Foundation's mission and beliefs align with the latest science and research that reinforce what is possible for children with hearing loss today to listen, talk, and achieve age-appropriate literacy outcomes by third grade.? Learn more about What We Believe by clicking the link in the comments.? #OberkotterFoundation #ListeningandSpokenLanguage #scienceandinnovation #childhoodhearingloss?

Last week marked an important #milestone for the Oberkotter Foundation as more details of the strategic plan were released to share the vision for a future of limitless possibilities for children with hearing loss. It also marked the release of the Foundation’s updated visual identity with a redesigned logo and website. The updated visual identity supports the Foundation’s future-facing direction as it advances its work with clarity, purpose, and collaboration. While it may have an updated look and feel, the #OberkotterFoundation remains steadfast in its commitment to support children with hearing loss to reach their full potential.?? See more about the vision for the future by visiting: https://bit.ly/4dIHKFo #ListeningandSpokenLanguage #LiteracySkills #childhoodhearingloss #philanthropy?

What were the most relevant peer-reviewed articles associated with pediatric audiology in 2023? This four-week live online course will be divided into one topic for each week, with a different subject matter expert to facilitate: audiology assessment, hearing aids, cochlear implants, and miscellaneous pediatric audiology issues. You’ll walk away with findings applicable to clinical practice. - CE credits from AG Bell, ASHA, and AAA available - Live session dates: Mondays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 at 8-9 p.m. E - Facilitators: James Hall, PhD, Marlene Bagatto, AuD, PhD, René Gifford, Ph.D, CCC-A, Ryan McCreery, PhD Register by May 28: https://bit.ly/3y95i6a