Callier’s Summer Listening Campers’ Laughter Was Music To The Cochlear-Implanted Ears

While grownups rightly kvetched about the sweltering three-digit temperatures, there was a gathering of youngsters on Thursday, July 27, at Cross Creek Ranch. These cuties were absolutely blissful of the summer heat as they played games and made masks and works of art at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders‘ week-long Summer Listening Camp. True, they had all their shenanigans in an open shed, under shady trees and in an air-conditioned community room, but they seemed oblivious that this playful and creative experience was more far-reaching than other summer camps.

For this camp was uniquely designed for youngsters whose hearing had been enhanced thanks to the Callier Center for Communication Disorders and its cochlear implant program.

As Foundation for Callier Center Board of Trustees President Beth Thoele and board members (Sarah Durant, Bennett Cullum and Megan Steinbach) watched, the kids and their counselors celebrated the technology that had provided an avenue to connectivity.

Over to the side, Callier Family Care Campaign Co-Chair Anne McPherson, whose son Todd McPherson had become a vet counselor over the years, and Benedict Voit talked with Beth.

It seems Benedict was more than a camp observer. He’s the CFO of Richardson-based Qualia Oto Inc. that has been working with Callier on further advancements in the cochlear implant technology. As he explained, “Our products are reconfiguring the cochlear implant market to secure the reputation and sales needed for ongoing growth. However, while a strong bottom line is critical to our corporate existence, we must remember that part of our mission is driven by humanity. The potential and the impact of that humanity was abundantly clear at the camp.”

Callier Center Development Senior Director Justin Banta said, “It is amazing to see the innovation in hearing technology coming out of UT Dallas. Qualia Oto’s cochlear implant technologies continue in the tradition of leading-edge treatment being developed here. It makes me excited to be a part of this community.”

Missing in action was Callier Center Executive Director Dr. Angela Shoup. She had a good excuse, though. Angela was part of a team providing brain surgery.