empowEar Audiology

Stress is a part of every parenting/family journey.  This parenting stress can be compounding when a child is deaf/hard of hearing.  Join me in a conversation with Dr. Ivette Cejas, licensed psychologist, Associate Professor at the University of Miami Ear Institute, and Director of Family Support Services at the University of Miami Children’s Hearing Program. Dr. Cejas is a well-known researcher in the area of pediatric hearing loss. She specializes in psychoeducational evaluations for deaf or hard of hearing children, as well as mental health therapy for this population. She is on the Board of Directors at AG Bell and is a member of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance.  In this podcast, Dr. Cejas shares the top stressors parents are faced with, a tool to help measure parenting stress specific to cochlear implants, and ways to support self-efficacy.  She also discusses the importance of including professionals such as psychologists and social workers to support the whole child.  

To listen to or access transcripts of this episode:  

www.3cdigitalmedianetwork.com/empowear-audiology-podcast

To connect with Dr. Cejas   icejas@med.miami.edu

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivette-cejas-566783118

https://www.instagram.com/childrenshearingprogram/

Join me in this special interview with Lynn Wood.  This interview takes a trip down memory lane for both of us!  Lynn was one of my audiologists as a tween and has continued to be a mentor and friend throughout my personal and professional journey.  Lynn is a nationally recognized Listening and Spoken Language Specialist with over 35 years of experience. She is an audiologist by degree and specializes in pediatric LSL auditory verbal therapy, post cochlear implant auditory rehabilitation for children and adults, and therapy for individuals with auditory processing needs. Lynn is the founder of the Auditory Verbal Center of Wheaton and was one of the first audiologists to open a practice devoted exclusively to auditory rehabilitation. Lynn authors evidence-based LSL resources and Listen With Lynn™ is her online store that offers downloadable tools, games, and activities for children, their families, and the professionals who guide them.

Find Lynn Wood at: 

https://www.hearsaylw.com/

lynn@HearSayLW.com

To access this episode as well as a transcript, please visit:

www.3cdigitalmedianetwork.com/empowear-audiology-podcast

Join me for an engaging interview with Dr. Johnnie Sexton, audiologist,  as we discuss The CARE Project and Educational Audiology services with a theme of changing the culture of communication.  Dr. Johnnie Sexton, Au.D., has worked with children who are deaf and hard of hearing for over four decades. He has devoted his energy to redefining counseling for families with children who have hearing challenges and the professionals who provide services through The CARE Project, serving as Executive Director, for the advancement of family, professional, and pre-professional training opportunities in emotional/adjustment counseling.  The CARE Project has become a national standard for family engagement for the unique family retreat experiences which provide emotional support and education for family empowerment.  Dr. Sexton also owns a private practice specializing in educational audiology services and educational sign language interpreter services (John E. Sexton & Associates, Inc./JESA). Take a listen and be inspired to create spaces for emotional journeys, family support, and engagement in your areas.  

For transcripts of this episode, please go to www.3cdigitalmedianetwork.com/empowear-audiology-podcast

For more information on the CARE Project:  https://www.thecareproject.com/

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVqaQTAOH-Tq8hE1IWScVQ/featured

JESA/Educational Audiology:  https://www.jesanc.com/

Join me in an inspiring conversation with Dr. Jessica Hoefler as she shares her story of Piper’s Key and her mission to gift inclusive books to children with disabilities that represent their unique selves in a positive light.  Dr. Hoefler is an educational audiologist for the Summit Educational Service Center.  She is also a strong and dedicated mother of 3.  Piper’s Key was formed in memory of her middle child, Piper, who passed away after 27 days on earth due to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA type 0).  Had Piper survived, she would be living with multiple disabilities and would need opportunities to grow a positive self-concept.  Dr. Hoefler has been able to combine her mother’s love with her professional passion as an audiologist by forming her nonprofit organization Piper’s Key.  Through her nonprofit, she gifts inclusive books to children, many of who are deaf and hard of hearing.  If you are a professional working with any children with differences or if you are a parent, please reach out to Dr. Hoefler through the website at www.piperskey.com or email at  piperskey27@gmail.com.  

To access a transcript of this episode, visit:

https://www.3cdigitalmedianetwork.com/empowear-audiology-podcast

Join me in a conversation with Sara Robinson, M.A., CCC-SLP as she opens up about growing stronger in her acceptance and advocacy as a hard of hearing individual.  In this episode, Sara opens up to our audience about growing up with a slow progression of hearing loss, her up and down struggles with hearing aids,  and becoming more and more comfortable with being hard of hearing and advocating.  Sara’s vulnerability is courage for others who are trying to “be fine” on the outside while furiously paddling underneath the surface to keep up with communication challenges.  

For a transcript of this episode, please visit:

https://www.3cdigitalmedianetwork.com/empowear-audiology-podcast

Sara Robinson, M.A., CCC-SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Family Consultant for Children’s Hospital Colorado in Colorado Springs. She has worked with children who are deaf or hard of hearing for 13 years, first at Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, NE, and then at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Colorado Springs. She enjoys working with children of all ages and communication modalities to help each child and family reach their full potential. Sara grew up hard of hearing and uses her experiences to help guide families along their journey.

Sara can be reached at  sara.robinson@childrenscolorado.org

Join me in a conversation with Matt Hay as he shares his emotional and physical journey of losing and regaining his hearing.  Through his challenging experiences, he has chosen to focus on the things that he can do rather than the things that he cannot.  Matt was a sophomore in college when he found out that he was going to lose his hearing.  At first, he was in denial but when the sound started slipping away, he wanted to mentally capture and curate a soundtrack of songs about freedom, tragedy and falling in love.  On this podcast, Matt takes us through his journey of overcoming the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of finding out about the diagnosis of NF2 (Neurofibromatosis type 2), losing his hearing, and going through the ABI (auditory brainstem implant) process.  Listen in and be inspired by Matt’s message to listeners about hope, overcoming adversity, and inspiring those around you. 

To find out more about Matt Hay visit his social media connections: 

Matt Hay | Composing a Soundtrack of Silence (hearmatthay.com)

(4) Matt Hay | LinkedIn

Matt Hay | Facebook

For a transcript of this episode, go to:

https://www.3cdigitalmedianetwork.com/empowear-audiology-podcast

Take a deeper dive into the impact that YOU have as a leader in your own life with guest Gayla Guignard, Chief Strategy and Programs Officer for the AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  Join me in an empowering conversation about the topic of servant leadership and how each person is a leader within.  Each of us has a story to share and we have the opportunity to rewrite the story that we live.  Gayla has extensive experiences and roles that have shaped her servant leadership.  She served as the founding director of Indiana’s Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education (CDHHE) preceded by several years as Indiana’s Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EDHI) coordinator.  Gayla served as AG Bell’s Chief Programs Officer from 2003-2007, worked at the Univesity of Tennesse from 1991-2003, a consultant with the National Center on Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) from 2007-2013.  She is an audiologist, speech-language pathologist, and certified listening and spoken language professional.  Do What YOU LOVE!  

To get into contact with Gayla Guignard please visit

gguignard@agbell.org

ghguignard@gmail.com

For more information about AG Bell visit:  www.agbell.org

For a transcript of this episode, go to:

https://www.3cdigitalmedianetwork.com/empowear-audiology-podcast

Join me in an important conversation with Drs. Jessica Sullivan and Lauren Calandruccio about the IMPACT Program which stands for Innovative Mentoring and Professional Advancement through Cultural Training.  The goal of the IMPACT Program is to increase diversity within the field of speech-language pathology and audiology.  These 2 audiologists have partnered together to offer a year-long mentoring program for students of color to elevate, support, educate, create networks, build confidence, and foster friendships.  Dr. Sullivan shares her own personal journey of becoming a black audiologist in a predominantly white profession and how her experiences shaped a formal mentoring program for undergraduate students.  Dr. Calandruccio shares her insight on the positive impact of providing students access to diverse professionals in the field the ways these connections have empowered her students. Take a listen and learn about the IMPACT Program’s priorities and the opportunities it has to offer and consider how this podcast can impact you to make a difference and implement a similar program.    

Dr. Jessica Sullivan is the interim Department Chair and assistant professor in the Communicative Sciences and Disorders department at Hampton.  Lauren Calandruccio is the Louis D. Beaumont University Professor II, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences, and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. 

For more information visit:

https://psychsciences.case.edu/faculty/lauren-calandruccio/

https://science.hamptonu.edu/csad/facstaff.cfm

https://www.instagram.com/impact_csd/

https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/Fulltext/2021/10000/Student_IMPACT__New_Program_Promotes_Diversity,.1.aspx

https://www.asha.org/siteassets/surveys/2020-member-and-affiliate-profile.pdf

Take a listen to this engaging conversation with Lisa Kovacs.  Lisa is a parent and professional who has had over 21 years of experience parenting her own child as well as advocating and empowering other families who are on this journey.  Lisa gives us a peek into her own journey of raising a child who is deaf/hard of hearing and provides our listeners with thoughtful, reflective advice.  Lisa is also employed by the Hands and Voices organization which is a parent-driven organization that supports families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing with a motto of “what works for your child is what makes the choice right”.  Lisa is the current director of programs in which she provides support and oversight to the GBYS and ASTra programs, including start up support, as well as providing technical assistance and information coordination.  She is also the director of the FL3 program.    

To connect with Lisa or find out more information about Hands and Voices, visit the following links:  

lisakovacs@handsandvoices.org

Hands & Voices Chapter listing – https://handsandvoices.org/chapters/starts.htm  

Family-based Organizations/ Family leaders FL3 Center listing – https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/topics/fam-fam-support/need-support.html

H&V Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/handsandvoices  

 Transcript: https://www.3cdigitalmedianetwork.com/empowear-audiology-podcast

Join me in talking with Dr. Kristina Blaiser about the importance of understanding systematic assessments patterns and trends for children who are deaf and hard of hearing and using trends for training and collaboration for SLPs and other related professionals. Dr. Kristina (Kristi) Blaiser is an Associate Professor of Speech-Language Pathology at Idaho State University. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Speech-Language Hearing Sciences from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. Kristi's professional and research focus is to ensure children who are Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing reach their full potential, specifically through systematic assessment as the foundation for support and training of the adults who interact with them. Dr. Blaiser is the Coordinator for the American Speech-Language Hearing Association’s Special Interest Group, Pediatric Hearing  and Hearing Disorders, the Idaho representative for the national Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Council, and a committee member of Idaho’s Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Council.

Join Dr. Kristina Blaiser and I in this podcast episode  reviews research about assessment information and the importance of integrating into meaningful goals and objectives for children who are deaf and hard of hearing, through professional development opportunities and resources.  Taking a step back, seeking collaboration, and continuously listening and increasing knowledge are important key discussion points to help children who are deaf and hard of hearing reach their potential.  

You can reach Dr. Kristi Blaiser at kristina.blaiser@isu.edu

Transcript: https://www.3cdigitalmedianetwork.com/empowear-audiology-podcast

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What happens when a student who is deaf or hard of hearing does not have an educational audiologist on their educational team?  Join me in this episode with Dr. Kym Meyer as she shares how her grassroots efforts have grown to provide the IDEA related services to multiple districts across Massachusetts.  She received her undergraduate degree in communication disorders and education and her master’s degree in audiology from Gallaudet University.  In 1994 she obtained an educational audiology position at the Learning Center for the Deaf in Mass.  In 2001, she started what is now known as the Public School Partnerships which provides statewide educational audiology services in 80 school districts. Dr. Kym Meyer recently received her PhD in special education policy from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a focus on how to expand educational audiology services across the United States. Dr. Kym Meyer continues to utilize her research and professional knowledge in supporting students, parents, and professionals through her work at the university, state, and national levels.

Please check out the resources mentioned in this podcast! 

https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/rel.svcs.ed.aud.meyer.htm

https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/to-advocate-for-educational-audiology-33424

https://www.edaud.org/position-stat/15-position-02-18.pdf

To reach Dr. Kym Meyer:  

www.KymMeyer.com 

KymMeyerPhD@gmail.com

Twitter handle is @KymPMeyer

Transcript: https://www.3cdigitalmedianetwork.com/empowear-audiology-podcast

Join me in a conversation with Derek Houston, Ph.D. as we discuss how language impacts children with cochlear implants.  Dr. Houston brings a wealth of information to this topic.  Dr. Houston currently is in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine where he directs the Buckeye Center for Hearing and Development. His work has focused on the effects of early auditory deprivation and subsequent cochlear implantation on speech discrimination, attention to speech, sensitivity to language-specific properties of speech, word learning, and general cognitive skills in deaf infants and toddlers. In this episode, Dr. Houston discusses a proposed conceptual framework to explain the relationship between language input and language outcomes. TAAC is the idea that total language input directed to children with cochlear implants  is moderated by what is accessible, attended, and coordinated with the child. Take a listen as we take a deeper dive into each of the TAAC components.

For more information about the Buckeye Center for Hearing and Development and also to connect with Dr. Derek Houston, visit the website: 

https://medicine.osu.edu/departments/otolaryngology/research/buckeye-center

https://medicine.osu.edu/find-faculty/clinical/otolaryngology/derek-houston-phd

Join me in a conversation with the accomplished Dr. Donald Goldberg as we have a discussion about the important history and work of the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing, the important work and collaboration between hearing healthcare professionals, educators, and families, and the positive impact of the fields, including how Dr. Goldberg ventured into the field. Dr. Donald Goldberg has his Ph.D., CCC-SLP/A, LSLS certified AVT, and is full professor at the College of Wooster (Ohio).  Dr. Goldberg is also a member of the Professional Staff for the Section of Audiology and Hearing Implant Program (HIP) at the Cleveland Clinic’s Head and Neck Institute.  Dr. Goldberg has co-authored a book, written numerous book chapters, published a range of research-based and clinical publications, and has been an invited speaker throughout the United States and Canada, as well as 16 other countries.  He was awarded the “Honors” of the AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in 2018 and became a “Fellow” of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in 2020.  Dr. Goldberg's most recent clinical work has been the field testing of the soon-to-be published "Test of Auditory Functioning" (BlueTree Publishing). 

For more information about Dr. Goldberg visit

https://wooster.edu/bio/dgoldberg/

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Click here for a transcript of the episode

Join me in a conversation about one of my favorite topics, Educational Audiology!  On this podcast I had the opportunity to interview 2 educational audiologists who work for the Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech.  Clarke has five sites that offer interdisciplinary professional services in center-based, home-based, school-based and virtual services for infants, families, school-age children and adults.  At Clarke, audiologists are a critical part of our interdisciplinary team of professionals that support students of all ages and their families.  

Ashley Dainton, AuD, CCC-A, F-AAA, Audiologist at the Clarke Hearing Center 

From an early age, Ashley knew she wanted to work in a multidisciplinary field as a healthcare professional. She graduated summa cum laude from Kent State University with a B.S. in Speech Pathology and Audiology. She completed her Doctorate of Audiology at the Northeast Ohio AuD Consortium (NOAC) and received the 2017 Lagler Award for outstanding graduate student. Ashley had clinical placements at the Independence Cleveland Clinic Family Health Center, Mercy Health, Stark County Educational Service Center, the Kent State University and University of Akron clinics and she was part of NOAC's first audiology mission to Guatemala. Ashley went to California to complete her fourth-year audiology externship at the Providence Speech and Hearing Center. During her externship, Ashley had three clinical rotations that included adult and pediatric hearing aid fitting and services, diagnostic testing and specialty testing, auditory brainstem response testing and cochlear implants. 

Rebecca Huzzy, AuD, CCC-A, Educational Audiologist at Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech

Rebecca Huzzy, AuD, CCC-A, Educational Audiologist at Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech, graduated cum laude from Bloomsburg University in 2003 with a BS in audiology and speech pathology and then again in 2007 with a doctorate in audiology. Dr. Huzzy has worked as a clinical audiologist at Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware since graduating, and began working as an educational audiologist at Clarke Philadelphia in July 2013. Her clinical interests include cochlear implants, amplification and education.  

For more information about Clarke visit the following website and follow them on social media. 

Clarke: https://www.clarkeschools.org

Join me in a conversation with Dr. Stacey Lim, AuD., Ph.D., CCC-A who is an Assistant Professor of Audiology at Central Michigan University.  Dr. Lim has both a personal and professional journey in the field of audiology. Her research and publication areas include cochlear implantation, aural rehabilitation, language and literacy development and cognitive processing mechanisms.  She also teaches multiple classes in the department of Audiology at Central Michigan University.  Dr. Lim also has a lifelong journey growing up with hearing loss.  In this podcast interview, Stacey shares her parent’s journey of navigating a world of raising a child who is deaf as well as her own personal experiences growing up in the mainstream school setting and later navigating to the field of audiology.  

For more information about Dr. Stacey Lim:

https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/CHP/directory/Pages/Stacey-Lim-.aspx

www.disabledbeautyshow.com

One good ear is all you need, right?  Join me for a special episode about Unilateral Hearing Loss with Dr. Anita Jeyakumar, MD, MS.  In this episode we dig deeper into the impact of unilateral hearing loss as well as non medical and medical solutions.  Dr. Jeyakumar has over 20 years of experience in the field of otolaryngology.  She received her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Belmont University in Nashville, TN, her master’s in chemistry degree (MS) from Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN, and her medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. Dr. Jeyakumar completed an internship in General Surgery and a residency in Otolaryngology at Strong Memorial Hospital University of Rochester, in New York. She completed her clinical fellowship in Pediatric Otolaryngology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio.  Dr. Jeyakumar works for Mercy Health Otolaryngology in the Youngstown area in Ohio where she is starting a multidisciplinary clinic for patients with hearing loss, and a cochlear implantation and hearing rehabilitation program. Her current research interests are focused on the genetics of hearing loss, outcomes research and quality of life projects. 

To contact Dr. Jeyakumar, visit the website:

https://www.mercy.com/find-a-doctor/physicians/anita-jeyakumar/1985497

My Battle Call! Join me as I sit down with Valli Gideons for a real, authentic conversation about raising her two children with cochlear implants and how she turned her journalism background into her “Battle Call” to help families and professionals around the world.  Valli is a military bride, who writes about navigating through the fog of raising kids with cochlear implants and other things from the heart.  She provides inspiration for anyone through her freelance writing, webpage, speaking engagements, and social media.  Valli and her daughter, Harper, recently published a children’s book called “Now Hear this, Harper Soars with her Magic Ears” and can be purchased on Amazon or by reaching out to Valli directly for a signed copy.  To connect with Valli, follow her on FaceBook, Instagram, and her own webpage.  

https://mybattlecall.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MyBattleCall/

https://www.instagram.com/mybattlecall/

Join me for an inspirational interview with Dr. Samantha Kesteloot as she shares her experience growing up as a twin in the public school system in Michigan with bilateral hearing loss.  Samantha’s hearing journey led her down the path of educational audiology.  Dr. Samantha Kesteloot is now an educational audiologist with Trenton's Oral Program for the Deaf/ Hard of Hearing in Trenton, Michigan. She graduated from Wayne State University's Audiology program in 2020 after completing her externship at the Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, Missouri. Her hearing loss was identified at the age of 4 after which she was fit with bilateral hearing aids. In 2017 Sam decided to be implanted with a hybrid cochlear implant at Vanderbilt University. She enjoys spending time with her friends, traveling and staying involved with professional volunteer activities as well as those for kids/ families with hearing loss. 

My Child Has Hearing Loss, Now What?  Join me in learning more about an amazing new course, resources, and videos for parents of children with hearing loss (and for professionals too).  Dr. Michelle Hu has combined her 38 years of personal experiences with her 12 years of professional expertise as a pediatric audiologist to help navigate the journey as a DHH family.  In this podcast, Dr. Hu shares about her new release, what is included, and how to purchase this incredible resource.  Take a listen and visit Dr. Hu’s website at www.mamahuhears.com

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Join me in this special podcast remix of the Facebook Live event on Back to School Hot Topics with Dr. Cheryl DeConde Johnson and Dr. Lisa Cannon.  Cheryl is internationally recognized for her extensive expertise in the field of educational audiology and deaf education including authorship, public speaking, teaching, consulting, research and much more.  Lisa brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the field of educational audiology including national and state leadership positions, presentations, program development, and currently is the president of the Educational Audiology Association.    In this episode we take a deep dive into hot topics that impact students who are deaf and hard of hearing as well as those who support students in the educational setting.  From masks, to access, to technology you will be engaged in what we learned last year and what we can do moving forward.  Resources are shared in the show notes and also the episode to check out.   Be ready to engage in the conversation as well as participate in a call for appreciation action for our teachers who serve students each and every day.  

Resources to Check Out:

Cheryl DeConde Johnson:  https://adevantage.com/

Lisa Cannon:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-cannon-62bb526/

Educational Audiology Association:  https://edaud.org/

Roger Soundfield:  Optimizing Audibility with Dr. Cheryl DeConde Johnson  https://youtu.be/JOi3FgM0mxI