Dr. Karl White, one of the world’s leading authorities on the early identification and treatment of hearing loss, has been selected to receive the Thomas F. Campbell Callier Prize in Communication Disorders.

Presented by the Callier Center for Communication Disorders at The University of Texas at Dallas, the prize recognizes individuals from around the world for their leadership in fostering scientific advances and significant developments in the diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders.

White is a professor of psychology at Utah State University and the founding director of the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management. The center’s mission is to ensure that all infants and young children with hearing loss are identified as early as possible and have access to timely and appropriate audiological, educational and medical intervention and family support services.

White will be honored April 11 at the Callier Cares Luncheon and will offer the keynote address at the Campbell Callier Prize Conference on April 12.

“I looked up previous recipients of the prize and was stunned to be even thought of in the company of some of those people,” he said. “I hope it helps people understand the importance of the early identification of hearing loss and what can really be done.”

The prize was recently renamed to honor Dr. Thomas Campbell, who retired as executive director of the Callier Center in 2020. The biennial award, which alternates between the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology, includes a $10,000 award. It was postponed in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

White has been at the forefront of research, training and advocacy related to early hearing detection and intervention for nearly 40 years. He has conducted numerous research projects, published hundreds of articles, delivered presentations at scholarly meetings and has been invited to speak in 31 countries, where he has assisted in the implementation of newborn-hearing screening and intervention programs.

He also serves on many national and international advisory groups for organizations, such as the World Health Organization; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; the American College of Medical Genetics, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Three years ago, he received a lifetime achievement award from the American Cochlear Implant Alliance for his service to families and professionals.

“When you think about early hearing detection and intervention — in the United States or across the globe — you think of Karl White,” said Angela Shoup BS’89, MS’92, PhD’94, the Ludwig A. Michael MD Callier Center Executive Director. “He has done so much, not just with research, but also with dissemination of information and guidance on protocols and procedures, training and development.

“Karl’s work and his indefatigable commitment to research, training and advocacy for early hearing detection has had a significant, positive impact for children and families in the U.S. and around the world.”

Luncheon and Prize Conference

Dr. Karl White will receive the Thomas F. Campbell Callier Prize in Communication Disorders at the Callier Cares Luncheon, hosted by the Foundation for the Callier Center, which brings together advocates, clinicians, researchers and philanthropists to raise money to benefit patients in need through the Callier Care Fund. He also will be recognized at the Campbell Callier Prize Conference, where the topic will be “Early Hearing Detection and Intervention: What’s past is prologue.” Other presenters at the conference include Janet DesGeorges, executive director of Hands & Voices; Dr. Terese Finitzo, co-founder of OZ Systems; and Dr. Mary Pat Moeller, senior scientist emeritus at Boys Town National Research Hospital. The conference is part of the Bruton Conference Series and is made possible through a gift from the David J. Bruton Jr. Charitable Trust. It will take place at the Callier Center in Dallas. To attend, please register online or call Lynne Perler at 214-883-3003.