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
Visit Michigan Relay Services at https://www.michigan.gov/mpsc/consumer/telecommunications/michigan-relay
and/or Hamilton Relay at https://hamiltonrelay.com/michigan/services.html
Michigan Assistive Technology Program https://mymdrc.org/assistive-tech-program/
Programs include MATCH (Michigan Assistive Technology Clearinghouse); ATXchange; online newsletter; assistive technology loan fund; and community projects.
Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program
Hamilton Relay provides captioning telephones for Michigan residents. Visit https://hamiltonrelay.com/michigan/services.html for more information.
Division on Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing (DODDBHH) https://www.michigan.gov/mdcr/divisions/doddbhh
DODDBHH concentrates on helping to improve the lives of Michigan’s Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing citizens. Our mission is affirming the indisputable right of persons who are Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing to secure effective communication.
Other State Agencies
Michigan Coalition for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People www.michdhh.org
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC) www.mymdrc.org
Michigan Rehabilitation Services michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/mrs
State Board of Hearing Aid Regulation – Link to information about licensing:
https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/occ/prof/hearing
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/
Henry Ford Audiology https://www.henryford.com/services/hearing/cochlear-implants
Hearing Dog Training Certification
Paws with a Cause http://www.pawswithacause.org/