Market Square Services

Information on Hearing Loss

The Hearing Market Square will include an easily accessible library of handouts, books, videos, computer software, brochures, hearing loss simulators, and other materials aimed at people with hearing loss, their families, and their associates, all from a variety of sources.

Seminar Series The center will host ongoing seminars aimed at people with hearing loss, family members, and friends. These will include hearing aid orientation sessions, topics of special interest (tinnitus, new devices, etc.), and general topics aimed at fostering new interests and skills -- book circle, hobbies, etc. Seminars will be led by staff members, outside providers, and community members.

Workshops for Hearing Healthcare Professionals

There is an ongoing need for workshops and conferences focusing on specific issues related to hearing loss. The Hearing Market Square will provide a convenient facility for such meetings. (The Hearing Rehabilitation Foundation frequently organizes training workshops for therapists working with children and adults with hearing loss, and has sponsored two conferences, the International Sensory Aids conference, 1998 (ISAC-98), and the Adult AR Conference, 2001 which have attracted local and international participants.)

Assistive Technology Display This display will showcase the technology available for people with hearing loss and will include devices for communication, warning and alerting, entertainment, etc. All devices will be operational, so that people can sample what is available, and determine if a particular item truly meets their specific needs. The Hearing Market Square will act as an agent for these devices, or provide ordering information as part of its service.

Assessment of Speech Communication Skills

The center will provide an opportunity for people with hearing loss to have their speech perception skills (auditory, visual, and auditory-visual) and needs assessed. Testing will include aided/unaided assessments, evaluations in quiet and in noise, and assessment of telephone performance. The procedures will also access subjective measures, goal setting, etc. Training recommendations will be made based on the test results.

Innovations and Research Display Research facilities and companies will be invited to use the Hearing Market Square as a testbed for new products for people with hearing loss -- devices, training materials, software, etc. Companies benefit from having informed subjects with a hearing loss evaluate and test their product. The Hearing Market Square community benefits by influencing the design of new technology.

Communication Training

Many people with hearing loss seek communication training, but few are able to find appropriate services. This is especially true for adults with acquired hearing loss. When training is provided, it has to fit the needs of individual people, meet their goals, and be aimed at the appropriate level. The center will provide group and 1:1 training opportunities, short-term and long-term training, intensive training programs, and residential courses aimed at children, adolescents, and adults.

Self Training Facility and Resources A number of computer-based self-training programs are available. The Hearing Market Square will be a venue for people with hearing loss to use such programs, and will help determine whether such an approach is suitable for them. This will be an important resource for people who don't have access to self-training opportunities at home.

Hearing Loss Website

The center will expand the Hearing Market Square community by setting up a comprehensive website providing information on topics related to hearing loss and aural rehabilitation. Where feasible, other center services will be extended to the web so that people with hearing loss and related professionals, independent of geography, can access training, materials, texts, displays, etc.

Help Us

Please help realize the Hearing Market Square by making a tax deductible (we’re a 501(c)3 non-profit organization) contribution. Send checks to

Hearing Rehabilitation Foundation
35 Medford St.
Somerville, MA 02143

Thank you.