Steering clear of advocating for the UDE.
Hearin' from a Pro: Karolin Schäfer Takes the Helm at UDE
Getting Inside the Ears of Parents
Communicating in a world that's largely auditory can be challenging for those with hearing difficulties. Enter Professor Dr. Karolin Schäfer, who's delving into the hidden world of bilingual parents supporting their children with cochlear implants. She's dissecting the advice parents receive on their children's multilingualism, shedding light on how hearing impairment shapes life. At the UDE Faculty of Humanities, she's busy churning out top-notch special education teachers.
From infections and loud noise to genetic factors, hearing loss can come in all shapes and sizes. The severity dictates the type of support—from surgery, hearing aids, or cochlear implants (CI), to early support via bimodal bilingualism, a unique fusion of spoken and sign language. This early exposure helps children with hearing difficulties grasp language and communication at a young age.
Professor Dr. Schäfer is currently conducting two exciting projects at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE). "HearAllAges" tracks hearing impairment across four life stages—childhood, working age, young adulthood, and retirement. The goal is to spot gaps in support, making treatments more efficient. Data from health insurance, employment, and pension records, combined with interviews of around 20,000 individuals, will help paint a clearer picture, helping to disseminate insights across various platforms.
The second project, "Listen to Parents," aims to interviewed around 20 bilingual parents with migrant origins and children with CIs. Understanding the parents' perspective is crucial, as they often face bewildering advice from clinics, therapists, or schools. The insights gained should offer clarity and aid decision-making.
Hailing from TU Dortmund, Professor Dr. Schäfer started her career as a speech therapist at the Cochlear Implant Centrum Ruhr (CIC Ruhr) in Essen. Later on, she worked as a medical product consultant for communication aids in hospitals in the Ruhr area. Before making her mark at UDE, she served as a junior professor at the University of Cologne and a professor for audiopädagogik.
For Journalists:
You can find a photo of Professor Dr. Karolin Schäfer by following this link: teresa_rothwangl.jpg
For additional information, contact:
- Professor Dr. phil. Karolin Schäfer, Faculty of Humanities, Tel. 0201/18-37626, email: [email protected]
- Dr. Alexandra Nießen, Tel. 0203/37-91487, email: [email protected]
University of Duisburg-Essen
- Science has a vital role in helping people with hearing difficulties, such as bilingual parents supporting children with cochlear implants.
- Hearing loss can be caused by various factors, including infections, loud noise, genetic factors, and chronic diseases like cancer or neurological disorders.
- Support for hearing impairment varies, ranging from surgeries, hearing aids, or cochlear implants to early support through bimodal bilingualism.
- At the UDE Faculty of Humanities, Professor Dr. Schäfer is training special education teachers to address these challenges.
- The "HearAllAges" project aims to identify gaps in support by tracking hearing impairment across four stages of life.
- The insights gained from "HearAllAges" will be disseminated through various platforms to improve treatments for hearing impairment.
- "Listen to Parents" is another project that focuses on bilingual parents with migrant origins and children with cochlear implants.
- Understanding the parents' perspectives can help them make informed decisions and navigate confusing advice from clinics, therapists, or schools.
- Professor Dr. Schäfer is a veteran in the field, starting her career as a speech therapist and later working as a medical product consultant for communication aids.
- Prior to her role at UDE, she served as a junior professor at the University of Cologne and a professor for audiopädagogik.
- Early support through bimodal bilingualism can help children with hearing difficulties understand language and communication at a young age.
- Other health and wellness issues covered at UDE include mental health, men's health, women's health, skin care, and various therapies and treatments.
- The university also provides education and self-development opportunities for personal growth, career development, and learning.
- Hearing impairment is not the only health issue that requires management – other conditions such as weight management, cardiovascular health, digestive health, eye-health, and respiratory conditions must also be addressed.
- UDE is also involved in addressing autoimmune disorders, sexual health, and neurological disorders, providing comprehensive care for its students and the broader community.
- Moreover, UDE offers resources for parenting and aging, ensuring that students have holistic support throughout their lives.
