The Mama Lere Hearing School at Vanderbilt
In addition to the latest in research for hearing loss, Vanderbilt University Medical Center also offers an early intervention preschool program, The Mama Lere Hearing School at Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center (MLHS), that teaches children with hearing loss to listen, talk, sing and read. As a part of the National Center for Childhood Deafness and Family Communication (NCCDFC), the Mama Lere Hearing School serves children with hearing loss, their families and the community. The hearing school program has the unique ability to provide all hearing health care services in one facility. These services include audiological, speech-language, and educational evaluations and individualized educational plans.
Hearing aids, cochlear implants and other technology play an important role in making sounds accessible to children who are learning to listen and talk. The Mama Lere Hearing School classrooms were designed by audiologists to meet classroom standards for children with hearing loss. Furthermore, each classroom is equipped with a soundfield FM system to ensure equal access to the teacher’s instruction during the academic day. An educational audiologist is available to troubleshoot any amplification equipment during the day as needed. In addition, the pediatric hearing clinic offers outpatient audiological services for all ages which includes diagnostics, hearing aids, cochlear implant services, assistive technologies, and audiological habilitative evaluations to monitor progress with amplification.
The Mama Lere Hearing School at Vanderbilt offers a variety of educational services to meet the unique needs of children with hearing loss and their families. Our listening and spoken language educational services include the following:
- Assessments
- Clinical Services that include audiology, speech-language pathology and cochlear implants
- “My Family and Me” Parent – Infant Program
- Toddler Program
- Preschool Program
- Summer Program/ Extended School Year
- Academic Tutoring
- Social Work Support
- Community Program
Audiology Services
Children’s audiology services are available in three clinics located in Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee.
For an appointment call ph: 615-936-5000.
- Vanderbilt Medical Center East, South Tower, Ninth Floor – 1215 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232
- Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Doctors Office Tower – Seventh Floor – 2200 Children’s Way, Nashville, TN 37232
- Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center in Franklin – 919 Murfreesboro Rd. (Highway 96), Franklin, TN 37064.
*This location is for adult appointments only.
Helpful Tips
- Knowing where to go for help can make your journey with hearing loss easier.
- If your child has speech and language delays, consider contacting the Vanderbilt Hearing and Speech Department for a language evaluation. Here speech therapists who specialize in hearing loss can evaluate and treat your child’s language.
- You could also contact your state’s Early Intervention service provider for help. Services provided are often free during the critical years of development (birth to age three).
- If your child is having academic difficulties, discuss an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan for additional services such as the use of an FM system in the classroom.
- For more information about hearing, hearing loss, and hearing aids in children, visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
To make an appointment, e-mail us at: MicrotiaAtresiaClinic@VUMC.org or call ph: 615-343-6166.