Listen and Talk is a specialized listening and spoken language program for hearing impaired children

Dec 09, 2024 6:40 PM
Maura Berndsen of Listen and Talk
Listen and Talk is a specialized listening and spoken language program for hearing impaired children
Listening and Spoken Language is an approach that relies on newborn hearing screenings, supportive intervention, and hearing technology to empower children with hearing loss to listen and communicate verbally with the surrounding world. Listen and Talk families partner with highly-specialized providers to utilize auditory-verbal strategies that support their child’s language development.
Maura Berndsen began her career at Listen and Talk in 1996 where she has served as executive director since 2018. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Education from Fontbonne University, a Master of Arts in education from University of Texas-San Antonio, and a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist designation from AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language.
Maura serves as a member of Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth’s Statewide Outreach Team and has volunteered in leadership roles for AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language, OPTION Schools, Inc., Washington State Hands and Voices, and numerous state-level and national-level advisory councils and work groups. She has shared her knowledge with others by volunteering for Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss, where she supported their efforts in Vietnam.
Maura has also provided presentations, contributed to publications, and supported research related to the development of listening and spoken language in children with hearing loss, as well as best practices for the children and their families.
Maura is a nationally recognized advocate for increased access to specialized services for the diverse community of children with hearing level differences and their families.
When not working at Listen and Talk, Maura enjoys spending time with her husband Kevin and daughter, Sophie.