Welcome to DHHSD

Video transcript. [DHHSD Director Dan Millikin is wearing a dark blue vest, with a button-down shirt and tie.] 

Welcome. We are DHHSD, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division.

Approximately 20 percent of Minnesotans have hearing loss. Some were born deaf. Others lost some or all of their hearing later as the result of illness, traumatic brain injury or medication side effect. Ongoing exposure to loud noises is another culprit, and many older adults experience hearing loss as a common part of aging. Each person experiences and identifies with hearing loss differently.

Gathering information and communicating with others is a universal, ongoing challenge for anyone who is deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing.

We’re here to help.

The Minnesota Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division – or DHHSD – is responsible for creating and delivering a wide range of innovative programs and services to help children and adults who are deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing.

Our staff is highly experienced in the unique needs of the deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing community. In fact, many team members live with hearing loss and personally understand the practical challenges that someone living with hearing loss encounters at home, work, in the classroom and in the community.

We are committed to helping you to find critical resources, assistive technology, information and programs, support services, and mental health services or referrals quickly and efficiently.

Simply click the topic [in the menu] that best describes you or your need, and you’re on your way to a solution.

If you can’t find the information you’re seeking, select Contact Us on this website to connect directly with an experienced DHHSD staff member using the mode of communication that works best for you.