Hearing Aids Can Help You Connect With Others This Holiday Season
It’s hard to believe the holidays are right around the corner. Many people are filled with excitement as they plan trips and gatherings to see their loved ones. However, if you have hearing loss, you may be feeling apprehension and even loneliness this season. Hearing Loss and Isolation One of the first signs of hearing…
Kayla’s Story
Meet Kayla Kayla had numerous ear infections as a child, but it wasn’t until she displayed difficulties in school that led her parents to have her hearing tested. At seven years old, Kayla was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear and needed to wear hearing aids. However, the stigma…
Meet Braylon
Nine-year-old Braylon Stafa is a bright spirit that laughs and jokes, but there was a time when his family thought he would never talk. When he joined the Stafa home at 16 months old, Bryalon was nonverbal and non-ambulatory. After speaking with their case worker at Fostering Connections, the Stafa’s were referred to Columbus Speech…
Flying with Hearing Aids
The holiday season will soon be upon us. Crowds of travelers eagerly rush to John Glenn Airport in anticipation of seeing loved ones. However, for individuals with hearing loss, airplane travel can be quite difficult. It can be hard to hear overhead announcements for gate changes, boarding information, and hearing in-flight notifications when on the…
Talk Tips To Go: Mini Object Fun!
By Brooke Stoyak, M.A., CCC-SLP Mini Objects You Ask? Mini objects are such a HIT in therapy, as of recently. There are endless possibilities of therapy ideas/targets when incorporating them at home or in a therapy session. Most children LOVE to play with mini objects and they tend to hold children’s attention for long periods…
Staff Spotlight: Cara Walton
October’s staff spotlight is speech-language pathologist Cara Walton. Cara received her Bachelor of Science from Bowling Green and her Master’s degree from The Ohio State University. Drawn to the medical field, she chose Speech-Language Pathology because of the close relationships they form with people and the lack of blood. 🙂 Cara specializes in Augmentative and…
As the Weather Starts Getting Colder, Here’s How You Can Protect Your Ears
Did you know that cold, damp weather can affect the health of your ears, as can certain winter activities? We review how you can protect your ears during the late fall and winter months below. Cover Your Ears Your outer ears are comprised mostly of cartilage, with very little fat to insulate them against cold…
How Severe Is Your Hearing Loss?
According to an article published in the American Journal of Public Health, “An estimated 25.4 million, 10.7 million, 1.8 million, and 0.4 million US residents aged 12 years or older, respectively, have mild, moderate, severe, and profound better-ear hearing loss.” But what exactly do these classifications mean? We answer this question below. Normal Hearing If…
Audiologist and Hearing Aid Dispenser – What’s the Difference?
Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers are very different regarding training and scope of practice. A hearing aid dispenser must have a high school diploma and be licensed by the state. A hearing aid dispenser is only allowed to test hearing for dispensing hearing aids and can only fit adult patients. They cannot treat you for…
Talk Tips To Go: Fall Activities at Home!
By: Brooke Stoyak M.A., CCC-SLP There are so many exciting activities to participate in once fall arrives during the year! Fall is the perfect season to target many different speech/language goals. Here are some ways for your family to engage in the fall fun: Fall Scavenger Hunt: Hide some of your favorite fall items inside/outside…