The Vision Continues
Amanda Womac

At this time last year, the Hearing and Speech Foundation was in the midst of organizational changes that poised us for growth and achieving the founding vision of becoming a world-class research and training facility.

As I sit typing this article, I can look across the street and see that vision becoming a reality. Thanks to the support of our community, we are renovating a building in order to showcase the Verbotonal Method of aural/oral rehabilitation through our new auditory training and therapy programs.

The Verbotonal method, developed in the 1950s by Petar Guberina in Croatia, is a method of aural/oral rehabilitation that uses residual hearing to train the brain to perceive speech. For decades, this system has influenced auditory training and speech correction techniques used with speech and language disorders of hearing-impaired and normal hearing individuals.

We envision a centralized research and treatment center focused on the unique needs of individuals with hearing impairments. Throughout the year, we have worked to lay the groundwork for creating this world-class institute right here in Blount County. We have made great strides and plan to open by the first of March, but we still need help.

Every contribution made will have an immediate impact on this project and will help pave the way for groundbreaking research in hearing and speech. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today and add your voice to the sounds of support for the Hearing and Speech Foundation.

When realized, our world-class center will be the game changer for hearing-impaired children across the United States. We will have the ability to truly make a difference in their lives by providing them with the tools they need to engage and succeed in a hearing and speaking world.