Handbook for Parents: Project CHIME.

Project CHIME (Children with Hearing Impairments in Mainstreamed Environments) develops and implements strategies that promote effective preschool mainstreaming of selected hearing-impaired children, ages 2-5 in Nassau County, New York. Written for parents of preschool children with hearing impairments, this handbook contains background information on mainstreaming, hearing loss, and the Project CHIME program. Project CHIME emphasizes an auditory/oral approach to teaching communication, and encourages children to use residual hearing, hearing aids, and auditory trainers to develop their hearing and oral speech. Project CHIME also emphasizes the importance of mainstreaming in the preschool environment to allow children with hearing loss to develop relationships with their hearing peers. The handbook covers such topics as parent involvement and training, role of CHIME staff, types of hearing loss, and use of hearing aids and auditory trainers. (JDD)