Grant tunes into hearing device need

BANGOR – The Warren Center for Communication & Learning has received a $6,229 grant from JTG Foundation to replace its Otoacoustic Emissions Test System.

The new OAE Test System is a fast, automatic hand-held instrument for testing babies, children and adults. Several test protocols are available. Actual test results, along with a pass or refer indication, are available on the display as well as in print from a thermal printer.

The system that was replaced was outdated and used a laptop computer with a 1995 operating system. Although the system worked, it sometimes provided false negatives that lead to unreliable testing.

An OAE device is used with clients who are mentally or physically unable to communicate with the audiologist adequately to use the audiometer.

The device is often used for newborn screening follow-ups. Babies who fail testing at birth may turn out to have normal hearing, while a newborn who passes screening at birth may later turn out to have a hearing loss. That is why it is important for new parents to bring their babies back for a follow-up hearing test using a reliable OAE Test System.

Everyone in our community should be able to communicate to the best of their ability, center officials said. Communication enhances quality of life for the individuals and benefits the community as a whole.

The Warren Center is Bangor’s oldest nonprofit professional speech and hearing center. It provides evaluations, therapies and technologies of speech, language development and hearing to children and adults in eastern and central Maine.

The JTG Foundation is a private foundation established by Tom Gorman of Yarmouth, Maine. It annually makes grants supporting charitable causes in Maine, with a primary focus on enhancing community services, cancer care and mental health services, as well as services supporting the elderly and low-income or disadvantaged children.

At its recent annual meeting, the Warren Center announced the restructuring as part of its long-term strategy. That includes a commitment to providing excellent hearing and speech services for the residents of greater Bangor.

“We have spent several months undergoing a very thoughtful and comprehensive review of our operations,” said Jim Nason, board president. “Our goal is to maximize efficiency while providing quality service to our consumers. We are committed to continuous improvement and preparing ourselves to readily adapt to future changes in our business environment.”

The restructuring encompasses the two directors’ positions. Previously, administrative and programming duties were split into equal positions. As of the annual meeting, Mary Poulin assumes the position of executive director, while MaryBeth Richards steps into the role of associate director.