The Center for Hearing & Speech in Rock Hill Awarded $9,611 from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Metro St. Louis

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Metro St. Louis has made a generous donation to purchase new healthcare equipment for The Center for Hearing & Speech, a local non-profit agency dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with hearing and speech disorders.

A $9,611 grant will enable the Center to purchase two portable tympanometers and one laptop computer.  A tympanometer, the instrument used to perform middle-ear assessments, tests the condition of the middle ear and detects problems such as ear infections or fluid behind the eardrum.  The new computer will be equipped with a vision screening software package that will enable staff to easily and accurately screen a diverse population of children. 

 “This generous gift from the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Metro St. Louis for such vital equipment and the program it supports is tremendous,” said Rita Tintera, executive director for the Center for Hearing & Speech.  “Over the life of this valuable equipment, at least 70,000 children in our community, many of whom are at higher risk for communication problems due to their family’s low income situation, will receive hearing and vision screenings. For those needing it, intervention can begin immediately.”

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities includes finding and supporting programs that directly improve the health and well being of children.  RMHC makes an immediate, positive impact on children’s lives through their global network of Chapters in 54 countries and regions, and through their three core programs: Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.  More information is available at www.rmhcstl.com

The Center for Hearing & Speech is a 501(c)3, non-profit agency which serves children and adults across the entire St. Louis metropolitan area, regardless of a person’s ability to pay.  For more information about the Center, call 314-968-4710 or visit www.hearing-speechstlouis.org.