Youth Programs

Project T.A.L.K. (Talking and Listening for Kids) is our annual summer camp for children with hearing loss between the ages of 4 and 10 years old.

Project T.A.L.K. is the only program of its kind in the region! Texas Hearing Institute created Project T.A.L.K. to help children with hearing loss make new friends while increasing social and conversational skills, interacting with kids who also have hearing loss, and sharpening their listening skills while partaking in fun, exciting activities. Project T.A.L.K. also serves as a training program for speech-language pathology graduate students who are interested in acquiring skills they will need to treat children with hearing loss.

Camp activities include:

• Relay races
• Reading
• Photography
• Obstacle courses
• Games
• Arts and crafts
• Scavenger hunts

For more information about how to register your child for Project T.A.L.K. 2024, click here.

Applications for Project T.A.L.K. volunteers are closed. If you have any questions, please contact Schoey Nichols at snichols@texashearing.org.

Our teen leadership program, known as Project L.E.A.D., is an exciting opportunity available to youth between the ages of 11 and 17 years old. Our teen leaders learn to advocate for themselves, communicate professionally, collaborate with peers and mentors, complete self-directed tasks, and act as role models for our younger Texas Hearing Institute children.

Project L.E.A.D participants complete four training modules and 15 hours of volunteer service. Upon graduation, Project L.E.A.D participants have an opportunity to volunteer as Project T.A.L.K. camp counselors.

2024 training modules schedule at Texas Hearing Institute:

• Module 1: February 21 5:30-7:00 p.m.
  Personal/Professional Skills
• Module 2: March 20 5:30-7:00 p.m.
  Volunteering 101
• Module 3: April 24 5:30-7:00 p.m.
  Writing a Resume and Cover Letter
• Module 4: May 22 5:30-7:00 p.m.
  Interview Skills and Mock Interviews

For details on how to graduate from Project L.E.A.D. and be eligible to volunteer at Project T.A.L.K., click here.

Applications are currently closed. For questions about our 2025 program schedule, please contact Stacie Terhark at sterhark@texashearing.org.

Buddies at Texas Hearing is a group for kids with hearing loss who are 11-16 years old. Buddies events occur every other month throughout the school year to facilitate friendships, build self-advocacy skills, and create a feeling of community for kids in the Houston area who are deaf or hard of hearing. Past Buddies events have included bowling, escape room challenges, and a gingerbread house building contest. Kids who utilize any communication modality are welcome to attend all Buddies events.

For more information and to register for fall 2024 Buddies events, click here.

For questions about Buddies, please contact Stacie Terhark at sterhark@texashearing.org.

Junior Buddies at Texas Hearing is a brand new group for children with hearing loss who are 6-10 years old. The group hosts events during the school year to promote the growth of social skills and inclusion. Junior Buddies at Texas Hearing was created to give deaf or hard of hearing children in the Houston area a chance to spend time with peers who also have hearing loss. Children who utilize any communication modality can attend Junior Buddies.

For more information and to register for fall 2024 Junior Buddies events, click here.

For questions about Junior Buddies, please contact Stacie Terhark at sterhark@texashearing.org.