Utah EHDI Family Support and Information

Utah EHDI Family Support and Information We provide resources and unbiased support to families of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children in Utah. The internet is full of information. Everyone is welcome here!

The EHDI team will use this page to connect with parents, share events and resources, and help other families to connect with one another! This page is a way for Utah EHDI to share their resources to help parents find quality information about all aspects of having a deaf or heard of hearing child.Whether your child was newly diagnosed or you are a family with older Deaf and Heard of Hearing children this page is for you! We will offer ongoing information, training, parent perspectives/support, and a one stop shop for things happening in the community. The EHDI team's goal is to support parents of deaf children regardless of communication mode, amplification choices, label, or diagnosis. On this page you will find resources and information that support all modes and methods. We invite you to use this page to bind together as a community rather than find what divides us. The contact information provided is a direct link to our parent consultants. Our parent consultants have deaf or heard of hearing kiddos of their own and are happy to provide information and support directly to families! Welcome to the EHDI Parents Support and Information Page! We hope you find valuable information here, feel comfortable asking questions, and find other parents with whom you can make a lasting connection!

We had so much fun at our EHDI/ PIP Spring Free Family Event at Kidstopia in Bluffdale, Utah on March 27, 2026! There we...
04/07/2026

We had so much fun at our EHDI/ PIP Spring Free Family Event at Kidstopia in Bluffdale, Utah on March 27, 2026!

There were 200 people in attendance which included families of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, EHDI Staff, PIP Staff, Deaf Mentors, a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teen Ambassador, and SLCC Interpreting Program Volunteers. These events are a great opportunity for families to come and connect with other families.

Planning for summer activities are already in the works so keep an eye out in your email as we get closer to summer and come join us!

Hearing fatigue is a concept that is so important for parents and teachers to understand. In This post from .empowermen...
04/06/2026

Hearing fatigue is a concept that is so important for parents and teachers to understand. In This post from .empowerment_ does a great job explaining it from the perspective of a Deaf adult:

"Hearing fatigue has a huge impact on D/deaf people as we have to concentrate so hard to understand conversations and to lip read. Especially if there is background noise, multiple conversations happening at once, people facing different directions, it gets overwhelming and exhausting.

Personally I suffer from this immensely and I go home every day drained from concentrating so hard. But I have to give myself grace that I am doing the best I can and so are all of you!

Be proud of yourself for doing your best and I’m so proud of you all!"

Today we are spotlighting ! 2 hearing Moms who were brought together with a common goal of promoting language, access, ...
04/03/2026

Today we are spotlighting ! 2 hearing Moms who were brought together with a common goal of promoting language, access, and belonging for their 2 Deaf Daughters:

"These are the faces of kids who feel safe, understood, and DEEPLY connected.

Big smiles, bright eyes, and the kind of happiness that comes from being fully seen, fully included, and fully yourself. Authentically.

When kids are surrounded by people who understand them, the joy just overflows, and it’s beautiful."

To learn more about them and what they are working on give them a follow!

Cytomegalovirus, or CMV is spread through direct contact with body fluids, most commonly through urine and saliva. CMV c...
04/02/2026

Cytomegalovirus, or CMV is spread through direct contact with body fluids, most commonly through urine and saliva. CMV can also be spread through tears, blood, and semen.

Pregnant women who already have young children, or who work with young children are at highest risk of catching CMV. CMV is commonly spread through toddlers.

If you have young children or work with young children and are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, you can reduce your risk of contracting CMV by practicing good hygiene.

To learn more visit cmv.utah.org and nationalcmv.org.

Are you familiar with the parameters of American Sign Language? Check out this post from to learn more:"Similar to pho...
04/01/2026

Are you familiar with the parameters of American Sign Language? Check out this post from to learn more:

"Similar to phonemes produced in spoken languages, American Sign Language has distinct features called parameters, that are used to produce a sign. "

1. Handshape
2. Palm Orientation
3. Location
4. Movement
5. Non-manual Markers

Here is some great advice from .hu.hears about thing to do when talking to your D/HH child about their hearing loss:"Hea...
03/31/2026

Here is some great advice from .hu.hears about thing to do when talking to your D/HH child about their hearing loss:

"Hearing parents of DHH kids - I see you.
I see the worry you carry quietly.
The late-night Googling.
The way you scan rooms, conversations, classrooms, trying to make sure your child is okay.

I see the space you hold for them - even when you're not sure who is holding space for you.

There's something I don't talk about often.
I remember seeing my mom cry when I was little. She told me she wished she could take my hearing loss from me. She wished she could carry it so I wouldn't have to.

And in my toddler wisdom, I told her, "Maybe this is just the way I was meant to be."

That moment has stayed with me.

Parents, your instinct to protect is fierce and beautiful. Of course you would take it if you could. Of course you would carry it for them. That's love.

But hear this from someone who was once the child in that story: your child is not broken. They are not incomplete. They are not a burden to be lifted.

They are becoming exactly who they are meant to be.

You don't have to erase their hearing loss to love them well. You don't have to fix it to be a good parent. You just have to support them, advocate for them, and give them space to grow into their own identity.

Hold them. Fight for access. Ask the questions. But also breathe.
They don't need you to take it away.
They need you to walk beside them."



And you are doing that more beautifully than you know.

Here is a post from that gives some basics about Cochlear Implant Surgery:"Cochlear Implants (the interior component) a...
03/30/2026

Here is a post from that gives some basics about Cochlear Implant Surgery:

"Cochlear Implants (the interior component) are implanted through a surgery that takes place in a hospital or clinic under general anesthesia. The surgery takes approximately 2 hours and only requires a small incision behind the ear.

3-4 weeks after the surgery, the implant will be activated and then ‘programmed’ in sessions with an audiologist."

This week we are spotlighting !This family shares on their page about their life raising 2 Deaf sons and a baby sister i...
03/27/2026

This week we are spotlighting !

This family shares on their page about their life raising 2 Deaf sons and a baby sister in the UK. Their posts show their journey with cochlear implants, hearing aids, non-verbal Autism, progressive hearing loss, and so much more.

Check out their page to learn more about this incredible family!

This weeks Deaf/ Hard of Hearing related question is:What is Mixed Hearing Loss?~Mixed Hearing Loss is a loss with both ...
03/26/2026

This weeks Deaf/ Hard of Hearing related question is:

What is Mixed Hearing Loss?

~Mixed Hearing Loss is a loss with both conductive (outer or middle ear) and sensory (inner ear cochlear or auditory nerve) components.

~Mixed hearing loss can be caused from ear infections, trauma to the ear, aging, loud noises, etc.

Utah Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teens/ Young Adults we need your help!Utah EHDI is looking for Deaf/ Hard of Hearing (D/HH...
03/25/2026

Utah Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teens/ Young Adults we need your help!

Utah EHDI is looking for Deaf/ Hard of Hearing (D/HH) teens/ young adults (14-25 years of age) to join as volunteer Ambassadors at fun EHDI/PIP family events a few times a year and share with families of recently D/HH diagnosed children about their life and community experiences.

Users of all language modalities (American Sign Language, Listening and Spoken Language, etc.) welcomed and needed!

Find the link here: bit.ly/EHDIAmbassador

Here are some Spring American Sign Language (ASL) signs to be practicing from !
03/25/2026

Here are some Spring American Sign Language (ASL) signs to be practicing from !

We had a great time at the 2026 EHDI Conference in Jacksonville, Florida this past week. This year was the 25th Annivers...
03/24/2026

We had a great time at the 2026 EHDI Conference in Jacksonville, Florida this past week. This year was the 25th Anniversary of the Conference!

The annual Early Hearing Detection and Intervention conference brings together State EHDI Program Staff, State Early Intervention Providers, Medical Professionals, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adults, Parents, and more!

Some Utah Highlights from this years Conference were:

-We loved having our Parent Scholarship winner, Libby Holley, attend the conference with us. Libby is the parent of a DHH child, is on our Parent Volunteer Network, and also works at the USDB KBS campus in a preschool classroom.

-We got to listen to keynote speaker and Utah native share his inspirational message about his life with hearing loss titled "Don't Limit Your Challenges... Challenge Your Limits."

-EHDI Director, Stephanie McVicar, gave a presentation entitled "Hearing Outcomes in Children Affected by Congenital Cytomegalovirus in Utah" and was honored as a past Antonia Brancia Maxon Awards For EHDI Excellence winner.

-EHDI Parent Consultants, Aubri Ogden and Ashleigh Sorenson, gave a presentation entitled "Making Connections Through Family Events in Utah".

-Utah EHDI Director Stephanie McVicar, Utah EHDI Audiology and Compliance Coordinator Shannon Wnek, and Utah Parent Consultants Aubri Ogden and Ashleigh Sorenson were able to attend the EHDI Together post conference sessions where we were able to share ideas and strategies with other EHDI states and territory programs and Family Based Leaders.

It was a great conference!

Address

5296 S Commerce Drive , Suite 302
Murray, UT
84107

Telephone

+18004681160

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Utah EHDI Family Support and Information posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram