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A master class titled "Hearing Restoration: Strategy and Practical Approaches" was held at Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU) on May 8.
The aim of the initiate was to present examples of best practices to speech therapists, surdo-pedagogues [deaf teachers], special educational needs (SEN) teachers, psychologists, medical professionals, as well as parents, to convey new approaches to hearing restoration, and to equip them with practical advice for applying these new skills and knowledge in practice.
Marianna Harutyunyan, Vice-Rector for HR Management and International Cooperation at ASPU, highlighted the importance of attendees’ participation, saying that it promotes their professional development.
Marianna Harutyunyan believes that everyone should work on their personal development, at the same time thinking about their role and importance as a specialist. She says Armenia needs knowledgeable and competent specialists: there is a lot to do, and the University realizes its mission in that context. "We represent a very vulnerable and important sector: our children do not wait, they need support, services, and specialist advice today and now. I am convinced that many of the people here are experts in the field and they will make new discoveries in the world they are familiar with, and many may even discover a new world," the vice-rector said.
Gohar Hovyan, Dean of the Faculty of Special and Inclusive Education said it was the third master class held by the Faculty. Professor Hovyan added that no matter how much they speak about the importance of education and development of children with special educational needs, they continue to remain corrective, preventive, and developmental specialists.
Gohar Hovyan says it is necessary to raise issues related to the developmental peculiarities of vulnerable groups through such trainings in order to overcome further difficulties.
The interactive master class was conducted by Inessa Harutyunyan, a lecturer at the Chair of Special Pedagogy and Psychology at ASPU. She voiced hope that the participants will receive new emotions, acquire knowledge, and apply it in practice.
The speaker then presented statistical data: roughly, one in every 1000 newborns in Armenia has severe to profound hearing loss. Their activity is aimed at helping children hear, enjoy, and appreciate their own hearing. Inessa Harutyunyan advised the presentees to appreciate what they have and to maintain their health, particularly their hearing. “If a hearing problem is detected, early diagnosis, referral, and rapid rehabilitation are recommended as soon as possible,” she said.
Cochlear implant surgery and its target group, peculiarities of auditory pathway development, importance of early diagnosis in the hearing restoration process, stages of rehabilitation, and the role of specialists providing pedagogical and psychological support services: these were the main topics discussed in the theoretical part of the meeting.
The practical part of the interactive master class focused on the main methods and tools, exercises, games and environment aimed at developing hearing and speech after surgery, specific methods and exercises of auditory training, identification of the main keys to long-term recovery success, etc.
Also present at the master class were children with congenital hearing problems who underwent surgery at an early age. They spoke about their successful experience and level of speech development. The speeches were followed by discussions, and a Q&A session. Also, online resources and platforms for lifelong learning were introduced to the meeting participants.
