Parents and teachers who work with the hard of hearing and deaf children can access various resources and organizations to assist them in their challenging task. Alexander Graham Bell and Daniel Ling were two experts in the field human speech and the education of the deaf. This article lists literary contributions in the area with a summary of the content of each book.
Alexander Graham Bell's Achievements
Alexander Graham Bell was born to a mother who was deaf and a father who taught deaf people how to speak. Visible Speech, a code which showed how the tongue, lips and throat were positioned to make speech sounds, was created by Bell's father. Alexander Graham Bell opened a school for teachers of the deaf in Boston and he became a professor at Boston University. As a teenager, Alexander Graham Bell created a speaking machine using the voice box of a dead sheep.
Bell continued his interest in human speech and how it worked. With the help of his associate, Thomas Watson, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. On February 14, 1876, Bell applied for a patent for his telephone. The organization, Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, is located in Washington, DC. The association is a life long resource, support network and advocate for listening.
Daniel Ling's Teaching Methods are Widely Used Throughout the World
Daniel Ling was a foremost authority on the teaching of speech to deaf children. His speech teaching methods are widely used throughout the world. From 1973 to 1984, Ling was a Professor of Aural Rehabilitation and Director of a program for the preparation of teachers of hearing-impaired children at McGill University, Montreal, where he received his Ph.D.
After graduating as a teacher, Dr. Ling undertook research at Cambridge University in educational audiology, and at Reading University in the psychology of perception. He was director of audiology services in two Montreal hospitals and Director of McGill University's School of Human Communication Disorders. In addition, Dr. Ling contributed many publications to the literature on hearing-impairment.
Daniel Ling's Literary Contributions
Speech and the Hearing-Impaired Child: Theory and Practice discusses speech and its acquisition by hearing-impaired children. The book concentrates on ways to overcome the inadequacies of speech associated with deafness so that intelligible spoken expression can be achieved. The application of phonetics in teaching speech production skills to hearing-impaired children is detailed throughout the book. It also provides many references to original work in acoustic and articulatory phonetics.
Basic Vocabulary and Language Thesaurus for Hearing-Impaired Children is written for parents, teachers and speech clinicians working with young hearing-impaired children. The guide includes more than 2000 words listed by topic according to their frequency of usage by young normal-hearing children. Common phrases and expressions are also provided as well as sections on question forms with typical answers and verbs.
Organizations and Resources for the Hearing-Impaired
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf: Contact association for information on hearing loss and deafness.
- 3417 Volta Place NW
- Washington, DC 20002
- 202-337-5220
The Better Hearing Institute: Contact institute for information about hearing loss, and hearing and health care professionals in your area.
- 1444 I Street NW, Suite 700
- Washington, DC 20005
- 202-449-1100
The National Information Center on Deafness: Contact the clearinghouse for information on hearing impairment and deafness.
- Gallaudet College
- 800 Florida Avenue NE
- Washington, DC 20002
- 202-651-5000
References
Ling, D and Ling, A. H., Basic Vocabulary and Language Thesaurus for Hearing-Impaired Children, AG Bell Association for the Deaf, 1977.
Ling, D. and Ling, A. H., Individualized Educational Programming for Hearing-Impaired Children, The Volta Review, 1977.
Ling, D., Early Intervention for Hearing-Impaired Children: Oral Options, College-Hill Press, 1984.
Ling, D., Speech and the Hearing-Impaired Child: Theory and Practice, AG Bell Association for the Deaf, 1976.
Lisa Craven - I have been a successful teacher and student. I love to read using all types of media. My favorite "toy" right now is my Nook.
