Become An Advocate

After reviewing the information on this website and learning more about these important auditory learning considerations, you may wish to advocate for the integration of sound enhancement technology at your own school or throughout your school district. Here are some suggested steps to becoming an advocate for recognizing these important hearing issues and improving the auditory learning environment in your school(s).

Step 1:
Learn as much as you can about this issue and the pros and cons of sound enhancement technology.

Information is widely available on this topic and our organization is here to help. Feel free to download our tri-fold brochure which provides a comprehensive overview of the problems and the classroom sound enhancement solution in a concise single page format. You can use this as a handout when describing the issue to others to reinforce your points. Get the brochure here. To download a copy, right-click the link and choose Save.

Step 2:
Put this information together in a simple easy to understand format that highlights the problem, the solution, and the benefits to everyone.

The format for your information will depend on who you are trying to reach. Again, ECH is here to help you with this task.

Step 3:
Share this information with all of the relevant individuals at your school or within your school district.

If you are simply trying to have your school become sound enhanced, talk with the school's principal, a School Improvement Team, and your local PTA. Bring as many parents and teachers into your advocacy plan as possible. Many voices go a lot farther than just one. Also, disseminate the information to your child's teachers, school audiologist, school speech and language pathologist, representative for your district on the School Board, and city/county council representatives, etc.

Do not assume that people already know about these issues or the idea of sound enhancement. Many do not, and those that claim they do, frequently have inaccurate information or have had the unfortunate experience with an inferior product. This is your opportunity to set the record straight.

Step 4:
Be prepared for concerns over the cost.

An immediate concern will be the cost, particularly for a district who must consider that if it is as good as they say, all the schools will want to be sound enhanced. Be prepared with some suggestions such as:

• Develop a pilot program to prove that it works in your district and then use the positive results to raise money in the community.
• Staggered implementation, beginning in the lower grades spread throughout the school community. Add a grade each year as successes prove themselves.
• Tap into corporate, state and federal grants, such as those relating to Title I under the No Child Left Behind Act.

Step 5:
Be Persistent

Don't give up! Change takes time. Continued education will lead to understanding and eventual improvement. Attend and speak at local Board of Education meetings, education and city/county public budget meetings, and city/county public council meetings.

When appropriate, consider using the local media as an opportunity to educate the community. Caution: Make sure your purpose is to inform on facts, not to pass opinions or criticism onto public officials.