State of Michigan Resources for People with Hearing Loss
Quick Michigan Facts
* Total Population of Michigan 2013 estimate: 9,895,622
* Percentage aged 65 and over: 15%
* 1.4 Million people in Michigan have a hearing loss.
* Only 200,000 of that 1.4 million report using a hearing aid.
* Most hearing loss began in adulthood. Mean onset was 40 years. Only 19% of hearing loss was reported to begin before the age of 20.
* Approximately 420,000 have hearing loss from exposure to noise at work in Michigan.
* Hearing loss is more common in men.
– From the 2004 Annual Report on Work-Related Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Michigan. A joint report of the Michigan State University Department of Medicine and The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth Management and Technical Services Division.
Relay Services
AT&T prvides traditional Relay Services. TTY, Voice Carry-Over(VCO), Hearing Carry-Over(HCO), Speech to Speech(STS) and Spanish-to-Spanish relay.
For Information go to: http://relayservices.att.com/content/1/Michigan_Relay_Services.html and/or
http://www.michigan.gov/mpsc/0,1607,7-159-16372-212100–,00.html
There is also a directory by state at: http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/telecommunications-relay-services-directory
The list of internet based providors is at: http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/trs-providers
Michigan Assistive Technology Project
www.copower.org – the Assistive Tech tab.
Programs include MATCH (Michigan Assistive Technology Clearinghouse); ATXchange; online newsletter; assistive technology loan fund; and community projects.
Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program
Currently, there is no program but a committee is working to establish one and HLAA-Michigan State Association has representation on the committee.
The link to a list by state is: http://www.tedpa.org/StateProgram.aspx
Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing for Michigan is under Civil Rights on the State web site: http://www.michigan.gov/mdcr
Services include technical assistance and information; intrepreter information and testing program; auxiliary aids and assistive devices; publications; visor card program. There are four people with hearing loss, all of whom are HLA-MI members, on the advisory council.
Other State Agencies
Michigan Coalition for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
www.michdhh.org
Michigan Disabilty Rights Coalition (MDRC)
www.copower.org
Vocational Rehabiliation Services is under Workers Compensation Agency and has a list of approved facilities, a link to the Job Accommodation Network(JAN) and much more.
https://www.michigan.gov/wca
State Board of Hearing Aid Regulation – Link to information about licencing:
http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-35299_61343_35414_60647_35461—,00.html
Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council
http://misilc.org/
Cochlear Implant Centers in Michigan
Children’s Hospital of Michigan
http://www.chmkids.org/
Spectrum Health/DeVos Children’s Hospital
http://www.spectrumhealth.org/
University of Michigan Cochlear Implant Program
http://medicine.umich.edu/dept/otolaryngology/ci/
Michigan Ear Institute
http://www.michiganear.com/
Hearing Dog Training Certification
Paws with a Cause
http://www.pawswithacause.org/