Listen and Talk Celebrates World Hearing Day 2024
World Hearing Day has been celebrated annually on March 3 worldwide since it was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2007. This global campaign essentially aims to increase awareness and educate the community about hearing loss and promote ear/hearing care. Listen and Talk is proud to participate in World Hearing Day this year.
FUN FACT
Did you know that World Hearing Day is celebrated on March 3 because of how the date itself “3.3.” looks like the shape of two ears?
This year’s World Hearing Day theme is “Changing Mindsets: Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all” which aligns with Listen and Talk’s vision in creating a world where no child is limited by hearing loss. Executive Director Maura Berndsen says, “It’s important for our community to recognize that ear and hearing care should be accessible to everyone. Unfortunately, this is not always the case due to existing barriers that might limit access to quality services and care. This could include financial limitations, lack of information and resources, and myths surrounding reduced hearing levels.”
With a deeply-rooted commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) practices, we remain dedicated to providing families across the Puget Sound with access to information and resources they need about deafness, hearing loss, hearing care and more. We also provide them with information about audiology, birth to three services for infants and toddlers,
educational, and listening and spoken language (LSL) therapy programs and services. Our team of educators and providers choose to work here because they wholeheartedly believe in Listen and Talk’s mission of teaching children with hearing loss to communicate and learn through listening and spoken language.
Early intervention services like our Birth to Three services and Blended Classroom Preschool programs support each child’s development knowing that we have an impact on their growth and future successes in the K-12 school setting and beyond. Dr. Mona Oster, Research and Education Director at Listen and Talk, told us that “hearing technology and specialized listening and spoken language (LSL) strategies has made it possible for them to enter Kindergarten in their local neighborhood school well-prepared with strong pre-academic, listening, communication, social and self-advocacy skills.”In echoing Dr. Oster’s statement, one parent stated that “with Christie [Listen and Talk’s audiologist] and [having] the audiology booth on-site, we know that Listen and Talk can make sure our child is hearing as much as possible. Being able to check her hearing aids at school if we think there might be a problem gives us a peace of mind.”
A Listen and Talk staff member shared, “This is why we remain dedicated to providing educational and support services to families. Our commitment to accessibility doesn’t stop there. We strive to create inclusive spaces for all of our families with children of all abilities, cultures and backgrounds. We believe in the power of diversity and celebrate the unique strengths that each individual brings to our community.”
Hear from one of our Listen and Talk Alum Families
Danielle, a Listen and Talk Alum Parent who’s also a Blended Classroom Preschool Educational Assistant, shares her family’s story below about her son Caleb who is hard of hearing.
In closing, we’re proud to celebrate World Hearing Day with all of you by sharing some quotes from our current preschool students, young alumni and their parents.
"I like my hearing aids and mini-mic, so I can hear my friends and teachers at school."
"With Christie [Listen and Talk's audiologist] and [having] the Audiology booth on-site, we know that Listen and Talk can make sure our child is hearing as much as possible. Being able to check her hearing aids at school if we think there might be a problem gives us a peace of mind.
"I like my CI's so I can hear my friends!"
"I love my cochlear implant because they help me to hear."
"Our sessions with Christine helped our child keep learning because she coached us. That 1:1 time helped our entire family build confidence. Thank you Listen and Talk for including us."
"I like my cochlear implants because I can put them on myself. I like hearing sounds like dinosaurs roaring, friends laughing and music."
"I like my BAHA because I can put it on all by myself and because it helps me to hear!"
"I like hearing my teachers on the soundfield! It helps me to hear them better."
"I like being able to pick different colors for my ear molds and I like that my hearing aids are blue. I like listening to music, but I don't really notice them anymore because they're just a part of me."
Thank you for celebrating the positive impact of ear and hearing care for all! Happy World Hearing Day!
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