ESU Chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association Presents Movie Screening

Posted by: admin on March 30, 2015, No Comments

The East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) wants to raise awareness of hearing loss. On April 11 at 2 p.m., NSSLHA will present a screening of a new drama, 95 Decibels, in Beers Lecture Hall.

Based on a true story, 95 Decibels explores the emotional obstacles parents face when their child receives an unexpected diagnosis of hearing loss. 95 Decibels highlights the option of children being implanted with cochlear implants – a tiny electronic device that is inserted in a person’s hearing organ called the cochlea, which allows individuals with profound hearing losses be able to hear and detect sounds they may have never heard before. After the screening, ESU welcomes Lisa Resnik, the director of the movie, a panel of audiologists, and families of children who are hearing impaired to share their stories and answer questions.

“After watching this movie and listening and participating in the post-movie discussion with the director and panel of professional audiologists, we hope the audience can relate to or learn from the characters and storyline and walk away with a better understanding of hearing loss,” Katherine David, a senior majoring in speech-language pathology from Emmaus, Pa. and treasurer of NSSLHA, said.

In Pennsylvania, all newborn babies are given a hearing screening to ensure that their cochlea and vestibulocochlear nerve are working properly In many cases after a newborn hearing screening or hearing test later on in childhood development, families might be faced with the diagnosis that their child is deaf, according to David.

“This movie gives hope to all future parents whose children may be faced with this difficult diagnosis,” David said.

The screening is open to the public and it is free of charge. Light refreshments will be served preceding the movie. For more information contact Katherine David at kdavid@live.esu.edu.