Sounds of Sunshine

Sounds of Sunshine is when a baby with hearing loss hears for the first time.

Listening and spoken language is possible because of early detection of hearing loss and technology such as hearing aids and cochlear implants. Founded in 1947, Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children in San Antonio, Texas, is a place where miracles happen. In Texas all babies must be screened for hearing loss prior to leaving the hospital. Babies are referred to Sunshine Cottage for testing after being identified by the hospital as having possible deafness. At Sunshine Cottage one of the seven pediatric audiologists conducts an Auditory Brainstem Response test on the newborn to determine if the baby is deaf or hard of hearing and the extent of the loss.

Through the miracle of modern technology children with hearing loss are able to access sound and begin the journey of listening and language development.

Our Parent Infant Program is committed to supporting and coaching families and their babies with hearing impairment to learn to listen and talk. Our staff guides parents to be advocates for their child. We believe that babies under the age of three, with any degree of hearing impairment, can listen and talk if hearing loss is identified early (preferably newborn to six months); if the child has access to appropriate technology and dynamic audiological management; and parents are committed to practicing auditory-verbal strategies in their everyday lives.

For more information about Sunshine Cottage call (210) 824-0579 or www.sunshinecottage.org