Capital Region ESD 113 and the Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth welcome audiologist Dr. Rebecca (Becky) Larsen AuD, CCC-A to our special education team. Dr. Larsen will take over audiology services from Dr. Dakota Carda. Dr. Larsen’s first day will be January 3, 2023.
Dr. Larsen brings over 8 years of experience working with children and adults with hearing loss. As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), she is also fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). Dr. Larsen received her doctoral degree at Utah State University with an emphasis in pediatric audiology. She completed additional coursework in Listening and Spoken Language approaches.
Dr. Larsen’s primary work is supporting children with hearing loss and their families. Although she is passionate about the Deaf Culture and ASL, she strives to provide unbiased information and support, regardless of the child’s chosen communication modality.
“(I have) learned from (my) experience with Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals that hearing loss does not hold one back from success in life,” says Dr. Larsen. “The path may look different, but the sky is the limit.”
Capital Region ESD 113 and the Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth are proud to partner to increase audiology services to youth in our region.
Educational audiology is an under-met practice area of audiology. For every 39,733 children who need these services, there is one practitioner. “This has been a need for some students that’s difficult for districts to provide,” says Steve Bigelow, Executive Director of Integrated Student Support.
What does an Educational Audiologist do?
- Identify students who need service through youth screening programs.
- Assess students’ functional ability to access auditory information in the classroom
- Recommend personal hearing instruments to improve sound amplification.
- Train school personnel about hearing, hearing differences, and other auditory disorders.
- Counsel students and families by providing training and support.
- Educate students and school personnel about the prevention of hearing loss.
Contact Steve Bigelow for more information.
