THE NITCHIE SERVICE LEAGUE

From Sarah’s Journal we know that she

and several members of her family

were hard of hearing.

She thought it a very difficult trial and

struggled greatly to come to terms with this health issue.

Sarah never would know that two generations later,

another Nitchie would make significant contributions

that would improve the lives of thousands of people with this affliction.

His work lives on to this day.

Edward Bartlett Nitchie (1876-1917)

was the grandson of Sarah’s brother John Evertson Nitchie (1811-1857).

Almost totally deaf, he was determined to find a way to get a good education

and later used his skills to better the lives of others who were thus afflicted.

WHAT DID HE DO AFTER GRADUATION?

Despite all those accolades, Edward Bartlett Nitchie had difficulty finding employment.

Instead he made it his life-work to help others.

He studied lip-reading and devised simpler and easier methods which he felt could be self-taught.

Encouraged by Alexander Graham Bell himself, he wrote several books on the subject.

In 1910 he founded the Nitchie Alumni Association

which became the Nitchie Service League two years later.

They had offices at

The Gothic Skyscraper at 18-20 East 41st Street

New York City

The League:

Gave scholarships in lip reading with the purpose of

“helping deaf persons to ‘hear with their eyes’

and thus be enabled to take their places with the unafflicted”.

Ran an employment service for the deaf.

Made loans for those in serious need.

Facilitated activities such as teas, plays and contests,

so that those persons hard of hearing may meet on equal terms.

Edward Bartlett Nitchie

was instrumental in breaking down the prejudice against deaf employees

and for securing opportunities for them to earn their own living.

He taught over 1000 pupils

and over 100 of those became teachers as well,

much sought after by lip-reading schools everywhere.

THE NITCHIE SCHOOL

The organization became the

New York League for the Hard-of-Hearing,

and there were chapters in many cities in the United States and Canada.

Many prominent otologists were members as well.

After his death, this organization became

The Nitchie School.

In 1918 they had a new group of students.

Many soldiers returning from World War I had lost their hearing in combat.

The school established special classes for deaf soldiers.

Today, the organization is known as

The Center for Hearing and Communication.

Here is the History Section on their website which gives recognition to Sarah’s relative…

History:

The Center for Hearing and Communication was established in 1910 under the name Nitchie Service League, Inc. by educator Edward B. Nitchie and later became known as the League for the Hard of Hearing and most recently, the Center for Hearing and Communication. Our organization was created to improve the quality of life for people of all ages with a hearing loss. That mission continues to drive us today. By offering the highest level of clinical expertise and compassionate care, we empower individuals to achieve their full potential and assure a world without limits for all people with hearing loss.

1910: A sound start

Our nonprofit organization was founded under the name Nitchie Service League, Inc. (later to become League for the Hard of Hearing) by educator Edward B. Nitchie to improve the quality of life for people of all ages with hearing loss.

Mr. Nitchie himself was deaf; he experienced a period of deep despair, isolation, and joblessness. His friends sought to ease his unnecessary suffering, as well as that of others with hearing loss. Their work together inspired the birth of our agency.