What are COVID-19 Symptoms?
Below is the full list of symptoms which should be monitored:
- Fever (100.4 or higher) and/or chills
- Cough (not due to other known cause)
- Difficulty breathing or shortness or breath
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Headache (when in combination with other symptoms)
- Muscle aches/Body aches
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Fatigue (when in combination with other symptoms)
- Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes)
Sources:
Mass DPH: Testing of Persons with Suspect COVID-19
CDC Symptom Checklist
Where can I go to get tested for COVID?
Please see an interactive map of COVID-19 testing sites here.
What is your visitor policy on campus?
Currently, our campus is closed to visitors, families and the general public. Exceptions are our Audiology Clinic and patients and our Walden School residential staff and students. We as finalize reopening plans for our campus, our visitor policy will include safety measures in accordance with recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Governor of Massachusetts. We will post updated Visitor Guidelines when our campus is ready to reopen.
Are any buildings open on campus?
The only building that is open and accessible to the public is our Audiology Clinic. While we are accepting appointments for all ages, our clinic does have strict guidelines and safety measures in place. Please contact our Audiology Staff to learn more should you or a loved one need an appointment: (508) 875-4559.
What do I do if I have more questions?
Please continue to check back with us on this dedicated COVID-19 response webpage for new updates and information as they are made available. You can also follow us on Facebook, or fill out a general inquiry form on our website.
What happens if my child develops symptoms while at school?
Should a child develop symptoms while on campus (including fever, cough and shortness or breath), they will be separated from their peers and monitored by our Nursing Department. If their symptoms match those associated with COVID-19, we will arrange for the child to be tested, and continue to quarantine them until we receive results. If the child is negative for COVID and symptoms lessen or go away, the student will be able to return to their dorm/common spaces with their peers and staff.
What happens if a staff member develops symptoms while with my child on campus?
Staff members are screened at the start of every shift and follow a thorough personal hygiene protocol when entering buildings. If a staff member falls ill during the shift, the staff reports to their supervisor and HR, and will immediately self-isolate until additional testing or a diagnosis can be determined. All COVID-like symptoms will be monitored and traced according to policy.
Can I visit my child on campus?
Yes, contact your child’s therapist to arrange a visit.
What do I do if I have more questions?
Please contact Executive Director Michelle Cline or call 508-283-1953 (VP).
Are therapists allowed to make home visits?
At this time, we are offering Telehealth. Some therapists are allowed to make home visits; however, this is determined on a case-by-case basis. Some deciding factors include determining the appropriate space inside the family’s home as well as the space around the home, such as a park; evaluating the urgency of the youth’s need to see a therapist, and assessing the risk involved if the therapists were to make in-person visits.
Will therapists be wearing masks?
Therapists will be wearing masks if social distancing is not possible. Therapists will also bring extra masks for the families if social distancing is not possible and the family does not have a mask available.
How do I know if my insurance accepts Telehealth?
All major insurances are allowing Telehealth at this time. We encourage you to reach out to your insurance company if you are unsure.
What do I do if I have more questions?
Please contact Elisa Valles or 508-283-7271 (VP) if you have any more questions.
Will interpreters be going on-site for client support?
Yes, all interpreters might continue working remotely until the space becomes available, which means Interpreters will meet you at the site where services are needed. Including the management team. If we are not there, it means Interpreter can access the office for breaks between assignments.
Will interpreters be wearing masks?
Yes, our staff has clear masks that they will wear when working on-site.
What services do you offer?
We offer a wide variety of Deaf and ASL Interpreting services -- from medical appointments to academics. All TLC interpreters hold national, state and/or educational credentials. We are able to provide services for deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing individuals. Please contact us for more information.
What do I do if I have more questions?
Please email us at isupport@tlcdeaf.org
What type of masks will be used in the public school classrooms?
Teachers and staff working with deaf and hard of hearing students will be wearing clear-view masks or face shields. Each district will be purchasing and providing masks/face shields for their staff.
Where do we purchase clear view masks?
PSP Educational Audiologists are compiling a list of recommended vendors and will be posted soon.
What are back to school inservices going to look like in the Fall?
PSP staff will likely be working remotely for at least the month of September. Most, if not all, inservices will be done remotely.
What safety measures will be implemented when passing the HAT between teachers?
Per Phonak's Covid-19 Guidelines, Roger Touchscreens may be sanitized using water-based disinfectant solutions (preferred) or solutions with 70% isopropanol. Do not use bleach (chlorine or peroxides), as this may damage equipment. Wipe the device. Do not spray disinfectant directly on it or immerse it in disinfectant. Disinfectant must be used according to supplier specification such as contact time, dry rub after applying disinfectant, drying time and other as applicable
Where can we find CART provider information?https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-commission-for-the-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing
https://www.mcdhh.net/request/
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/request-a-cart-provider
What do I do if I have more questions?
Please contact Director of Public School Partnerships Kym Meyer.
Is Audiology open for patients?
Yes, the Audiology Clinic is open to see patients at this time.
What services are currently available?
Currently, all services are being offered including, but not limited to: adult and pediatric hearing evaluations, hearing aid evaluations, hearing aid dispensing, hearing aid checks/troubleshooting, and cochlear implant mapping/programming. Services can be scheduled as either an in-clinic visit or curbside visit. Telehealth consultations are also being offered as well.
What safety measures are in place inside the Clinic?
Our staff will be wearing PPE/masks at all times. Patients are also required to wear masks for the duration of the visit and use hand sanitizer open entry. All patients and staff entering the clinic will be subject to temperature checks. Patients are being asked to wait in their car until the time of their appointments, and will be let into the clinic with only one accompanying family member/loved one. Patient appointments will be staggered during the day to allow for social distancing as well as disinfecting/cleaning of the office. If you are ill, you will be asked to reschedule your appointment for another day.
What are curbside services?
Curbside services are no-touch appointment visits that do not require you to leave your car. These are typically reserved for hearing aid check/troubleshooting appointments as well as to purchase supplies and batteries. Patients are asked to call the clinic upon their arrival and a member of the staff will collect the hearing aid that needs to be worked on using appropriate PPE. The device will be repaired in house, if possible, and delivered back to the patient at curbside/their car. If a device needs to be sent to the manufacturer for repair, the patient will be called to pick up their device at a later time.
How do I know if my insurance accepts Telehealth?
Each insurance carrier and plan is different. It is suggested that you call the Member Services phone number on the back of your card to confirm benefit coverage.
What do I do if I have more questions?
Please email us at audiology@tlcdeaf.org, call our clinic at (508) 875-4559 or fill out a general inquiry form on our website.
