The “Hear Us Run” 5K and 1-mile run for kids were held recently in Knoxville to honor Emerson Grace Doty, a child who receives services from the UTHSC Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology. The department, part of the UTHSC College of Health Professions, is located in Knoxville.
Emerson Grace is deaf and utilizes cochlear implants to hear. Unlike hearing aids, which make sounds louder, cochlear implants are surgically implanted devices that carry sound signals to the brain. At age 5, Emerson has already graduated from therapy, due to excellent progress with listening and spoken language. She continues to receive periodic cochlear implant services through UT.
The event raised $32,000 to support the hearing and speech-language services at the UT Hearing and Speech Center. The center serves in a dual capacity, not only educating students, but providing services to the community. Those services include diagnosis and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults who have problems with communication skills.