Augustana College will receive a $361,276 federal grant to study expanding therapy for those with disorders related to language and communications.
Specifically, the funding will be used to conduct a novel research study on expanding care for those living with Hyperacusis, a condition characterized by increased sensitivity to sound, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Illinois.
The grant is an Academic Research Enhancement Award and is disbursed by the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
“Augustana’s speech, language, and hearing clinic is one of the oldest college or university clinics in the nation, and it has been a resource to people in our community for more than 75 years,” Augustana College President Andrea Talentino said of the Barbara A. Roseman Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing.
“The support of the National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders allows Augustana faculty and students to expand their reach, doing remote counseling and sound therapy for 60 participants from across the nation,” she said.
“Dr. (Ann) Perreau’s project is a perfect example of how Augustana seeks to connect education to important needs in society,” she added.
In announcing the grant, Mr. Sorensen said “Northwestern Illinois once again shows itself to be a leader in the area of expanding access to care for those who need it most. I applaud Augustana College and their cutting-edge team of researchers for securing this critical funding to support care for those living with communicative disorders.”
