June 2025 Oberkotter Foundation Newsletter

From the CEO

Today, we find ourselves in a dynamic and evolving time—full of potential, yes, but also filled with unknowns. In moments like these, the Oberkotter Foundation remains firmly grounded in our mission: to help families ensure their children who are deaf or hard of hearing have opportunities to reach their full potential through listening and spoken language.

This year, the Foundation has continued work from the strategic plan and deepened its commitment to supporting both families and the professionals who serve them by addressing some of the long-standing barriers to care. This includes efforts to reduce obstacles to critical information, increasing knowledge and connection; champion cross-collaboration across pediatric audiology, Listening and Spoken Language (LSL), and early childhood development; strengthen awareness of the newborn hearing screening; and find meaningful solutions for all children and their families.

As a private family foundation, the Oberkotter Foundation does not engage in lobbying or commenting on specific legislation, yet we remain steadfast in our commitment to work collaboratively for a more inclusive and supportive future for children and their families

As this newsletter highlights, you can see how the work of the Foundation has been evolving—not just to lead, but to collaboratively work alongside professionals and partners with a shared purpose. That spirit of collaboration was fully evident in the first gathering of the Scientific Council, a group of esteemed experts dedicated to analyzing the science of listening, language, and literacy for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The meeting was charged with inspiration, as they shared their dedication to advancing science and innovation to improve outcomes for children with hearing loss and shape the path ahead. I'm hopeful for what it means for the future.

In the coming days, let's stay focused and work hard to maximize LSL outcomes for little ones touched by hearing loss and their families. I look forward to the days ahead and all we will accomplish together.

Teresa H. Caraway, PhD, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT

Chief Executive Officer

Bringing Clarity to the Audiogram with a Standardized Tool

For decades, familiar sounds audiograms (FSAs) have helped families visualize what their child can—and cannot—hear. But until now, there has never been a standardized, research-based version that professionals could trust universally. In early 2025, the Foundation’s initiative Hearing First released a new Familiar Sounds Audiogram, created in collaboration with Dr. Lisa Davidson and Dr. Rosalie Uchanski following their 2023 landmark study analyzing inconsistencies across 36 audiograms in the field.

This new tool directly addresses those inconsistencies to bring clarity, accuracy, and consistency to a critical conversation between families and professionals. In short, the FSA is more than a resource—it’s a conversation starter, a decision-making guide, and a powerful tool for empowering families from the very beginning of their LSL journey.

The new Audiogram, accompanying eBook, and research addendum directly reflect the Oberkotter Foundation’s strategic priority to strengthen family and professional knowledge and accelerate the translation of hearing science into everyday practice. Hear from Dr. Teresa Caraway, CEO, and Dr. Jace Wolfe, Senior Vice President of Innovation, as they expand on why this resource represents a game-changing step forward for pediatric audiology and family-centered hearing care.

Learning from the Start

The early days following the identification of a child’s hearing loss can be full of questions, uncertainty, and information overload for families. That’s where First LSL Lessons comes in.

Created by Hearing First, First LSL Lessons was developed in response to what parents said they needed most when they learned of their child’s hearing loss: clear direction, practical next steps, and reassurance that they’re not alone. Whether used independently by families or integrated into practice by professionals, First LSL Lessons supports the development of a child’s early auditory and language skills while building the confidence and competence for families of children with hearing loss.

The Foundation continues in its commitment to empower families at the beginning of their journey by placing essential knowledge in their hands so they can navigate early decisions with clarity and confidence. First LSL Lessons is already making a difference. Families are using First LSL Lessons to get started teaching their child spoken language through listening while professionals are using First LSL Lessons in their practice models and service systems for their intervention planning.