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Hearing Loss and Holiday Gatherings: Tips to Improve Your Conversations

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The holidays are upon us! We look forward to the spirit of the season and the rituals of celebration. The way we celebrate has certainly changed over the course of this year! While some traditions (old and new) involve more personal interaction than others, for people with hearing loss, the anticipation of meeting people in a small group, one-on-one, or online can cause worry about being able to hear clearly and participate fully.

If you have hearing loss, it can be difficult to attend a gathering or talk to celebrating coworkers online unless you’ve opened up about your hearing loss and taken steps towards improved communications. This season, you can navigate holiday conversations successfully by following the 3 P’s: planning, preparation, and practice. Read more

Back to School Hearing

Prepping for back-to-school? Don’t forget hearing!

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Can you hear the back-to-school bell? 

It’s August, and that means pretty soon the kids will be saying goodbye to the summer vacation and saying hello to homework, books, and new schedules. We all want our kids to do well in school, but sometimes they struggle.

What if your child wasn’t able to hear as well as the other children? Did you know that hearing issues share many of the same symptoms as ADD (attention deficit disorder) and ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder)? Read more

Hearing Loss: The Hidden Stigma

Hearing Loss: The Hidden Stigma

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Hearing Aids and StigmaHearing Loss: The Hidden Stigma

Throughout the years, hearing loss has been unfairly associated with advanced age and weakness. Due to this well-known fact, many people who have suffered from a hearing impairment have often experienced rejection, isolation, and criticism.

At Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center, our goal is simple – to assist those suffering from hearing loss and to overcome these stigmas. We work to find solutions that work for each individual person and each financial situation.

The highly trained staff at JSHC supports individuals with hearing loss in numerous ways. Every day we have the pleasure of speaking with new patients, finding unique solutions for their challenges. Read more

What to Expect From Hearing Aids & Helpful Tips

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Deaf woman takes a hearing testAre you curious about what to expect from hearing aids? Or, maybe you’re looking for helpful tips to help you maximize the use of yours?

In 2018, we spoke with Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center patient Amy R. Here, she shares her experience with hearing loss diagnosis and what to expect from hearing aids. Amy also offers some helpful suggestions and insight for wearing your hearing aids.

Read more

How to Find High Quality Hearing Aids in Jacksonville, FL

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Did you know hearing aids are more sophisticated than simply making noise louder? Not only are there different types of hearing aids for specific types of hearing loss, there are also many styles to compliment lifestyle concerns. Learn how our Audiologists will help you to find high quality hearing aids.

How to Find High Quality Hearing Aids

Need Help? Talk to Our Audiologists

Our audiologists will work with you to select the best hearing aid for your needs. The audiologist will choose the most appropriate amplifier and circuitry for your particular hearing aid needs while keeping in mind any aesthetic and lifestyle concerns you may have.

Need Help with Your Hearing Aids?

In the past few years, advances in hearing aids have been making a significant difference in the lives of millions. The hearing aids of today are highly effective and sophisticated wearable electronics that help those with hearing loss stay actively connected.

Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center conveniently offers many hearing aid services:

➤ Hearing Aid Evaluations
➤ Hearing Aid Sales & Service
➤ Hearing Aid Orientations
➤ Hearing Aid Checks
➤ Hearing Aid Repairs
➤ In/Out of Warranty Service & Repairs

If you have further questions about what type of hearing aids or services we offer, or to schedule an appointment with one of our audiologists, please reach out to us online or call (904) 355-3403‎.

Jacksonville Florida Speech and Hearing

Finding a Solution to Hearing Loss Inspires Jacksonville Woman to Help Others

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For a portion of her life, Susan Bence wore only one hearing aid, but after the birth of her third child, her hearing loss increased significantly. Needing to be able to hear to find work, Susan sought help. The assistance of two organizations paired with her enduring tenacity made all the difference.

After calling several places, Susan discovered the Florida Department of Education. She was directed to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). They understood she would need a second hearing aid to be able to work and offered to help.

“Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center was willing to accept the Vocational Rehabilitation insurance payment,” said Susan “And even better, I was treated by audiologist Fenja Mattson She’s wonderful.” Mattson, a long-time audiologist at Speech & Hearing Center, also suffers from hearing loss and wears hearing aids.

“She goes above and beyond,” explained Susan. “She was so encouraging and she kept saying that we were going to be able to make it happen so I could hear and get a job. Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center is a really a comforting place to go.”

Armed with new hearing aids, Susan now works for One Call Care Management. “This experience has made me want to be closer to the deaf community and help others who need assistance,” she adds.

Finding a Solution to Hearing Loss

About Florida’s Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Florida’s Vocational Rehabilitation program is committed to helping people with disabilities become part of America’s workforce. Our employer-focused website, FLJobConnections.com, allows businesses to search at no charge for employees who are ready to go to work, as well as to post available jobs. VR has 111 offices across Florida, and last year helped 6,071 Floridians with significant disabilities find or keep a job. For more information about VR and its services, call (800) 451-4327 or visit link: rehabworks.org.

About Hearing Aids at Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center

Services offered at The Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center include:

  • Hearing Aid Evaluations
  • Hearing Aid Sales & Service
  • Hearing Aid Orientations
  • Hearing Aid Checks
  • Hearing Aid Repairs
  • In/Out of Warranty Service & Repairs
  • A variety of hearing aid manufacturers, with attention to the latest research and performance studies for the style of hearing aid best suited for each individual’s hearing loss.
  • Detailed information about all amplification options is provided to improve quality of life through better hearing
  • Hearing aid fittings include periodic adjustments and programming, verification testing, and hands-on support to ensure maximum benefit from amplification.
  • All hearing aids have a 30-day trial period.
  • All hearing aids come with full warranty coverage.
  • Repair services include minor in-office and send out manufacturer-based options.
  • We also offer custom fit noise protection, waterproof ear molds, IPOD ear molds, and can order a wide variety of other assistive listening devices.

Our audiologists will select the best style of hearing aid for the specific hearing loss you have, keeping in mind any cosmetic and lifestyle concerns you may have. What goes inside the hearing aid is also very important in the selection of the hearing aid. The audiologist can choose the most appropriate amplifier and circuitry for your particular hearing aid needs. Click to learn more on our website.

904 magazine june 2015

Jacksonville Magazine Article on Hearing Loss and Technology

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“Can You Hear Me Now?”

JSHC-904-Magazine

Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center in June 2015 issue of 904 Magazine, published by Jacksonville Magazine.

In the June 2015 issue of 904 Magazine published by Jacksonville Magazine, Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center is spotlighted in an article titled “Can You Hear Me Now?”

The article focuses on how important technology can be in overcoming hearing loss. In it, two professional communicators explain how hearing loss has impacted their careers and work and the role of technology in helping them overcome the associated challenges.

We are so proud to share this spotlight moment with our supporters and to share this story on hearing loss and technology! Please check out the June 2015 issue of 904 Magazine. We’re on page 20&21.

 

jacksonville events finfest

Top 7 Reasons You Should Join Us for FinFest!

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jacksonville events finfest

If you want to support a worthy cause AND have a fabulous time, join us for our annual fundraising event, FinFest 2015: Return to the River, on May 30, 2015. FinFest is our largest fundraiser, raising the funds needed for Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center to provide our community with quality speech and hearing services. Here are our Top 7 reasons you will want to get your tickets to FinFest 2015: Return to the River.

Top 7 Reasons You Should Join Us for FinFest

1. This is Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center’s biggest fundraising event. As the only non-profit agency in Northeast Florida accredited for both speech-language pathology and audiology services, we provide high quality care through the generosity of our community to ensure no one is turned away. In 2014, the Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center helped 5,290 people with speech and hearing disorders in Northeast Florida through professional speech and audiology therapies. This is your opportunity to make a difference.

2. Through our Preschool Communication Initiative, we have provided speech and hearing screenings to 2,385 children at 75 preschools in Duval County. It is our vision that every child aged 3 to 5 in a five-county Northeast Florida area will be identified, diagnosed and treated for speech, language and hearing disorders, enabled to start kindergarten on an even keel developmentally, free from stigma, with their classmates.

3. Listen to excellent live music from St. Augustine’s Henry and the Seahawks. Henry and the SeaHawks are known for their tropical hoedown style music played with passion, sweat, and as they like to say- “sunshine.”

4. Enjoy the beautiful scenery at the Timuquana Country Club. Timuquana Country Club is one of Florida’s premier country clubs as well as one of the oldest in Jacksonville. The club’s location on the western edge of the St. Johns River gives it a “million dollar view” of the Jacksonville skyline.

5. Meet First Coast News Anchor Katie Jeffries and our Honorary Co-Chairs.  As our official Master of Ceremonies, Katie will bring her professional experience and pleasant personality to ensure you know when all the special events of the evening are happening. Moody and Natali Chisholm, John and Gena Delaney, Artis and Enola Gay Gilmore, Robert and Margaret Hill, and John Falconetti and Shannon Miller will serve as our Honorary Co-Chairs of FinFest.

6. Participate in an auction to acquire fabulous items. With quality items donated from local and national businesses, athletes, artists, and authors, you are sure to find a valuable treasure.

7. Let us not forget- have FUN! Make sure to put on your best Hawaiian/Beach casual outfit, invite your friends, make new connections and be ready to have a memorable evening!

Make sure to join us on our Facebook event page and invite your friends!jacksonville events finfest

For sponsorship and ticket info, contact Kristen Dietzen at 904-355-3403 or kdietzen@shcjax.org.

For auction donations, contact Cathy Howland at 904-355-3403 or chowland@shcjax.org.

We will see you there!

prevent hearing loss with earplugs

Audiology Awareness to Prevent Hearing Loss

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October is National Audiology Awareness Month

Hearing loss is an increasing health concern that is often preventable. Noise exposure is the most common cause of hearing loss and can result in difficulty sleeping and high blood pressure. Noise induced hearing loss occurs gradually and without pain. Experts agree that regular exposure to sounds of 85 decibels or louder are detrimental to hearing.

The good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is preventable!

Here are 3 key steps you can take to prevent hearing loss:

1. Make sure to take proper precautions with your hearing should you find yourself in a situation with large amounts of noise.

2. Use ear protection whenever possible, particularly when working with loud machinery such as lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and jackhammers.

3. If you plan on attending a concert or sporting event, make sure to protect your ears! Recent statistics suggest a trend of noise induced hearing loss occurring at younger ages. Ear plugs and earmuffs for noise protection can be purchased at your local drug, hardware, or sporting goods store.

Our doctoral level licensed audiologists can assess your hearing. Earplugs are also available for purchase!

For more information on healthy hearing, check out the link below from the American Academy of Audiology.

http://www.audiology.org/publications-resources/consumer-information/october