Our Blog

Ruth D. Bernstein, Consumer AdvocateA neighbor told me a story about a pair of hearing aids that stopped working on a summer Friday afternoon. She was very upset because she cannot hear without her aids. Although she was frantic, she had the good sense to go to her local senior center where the director and social worker found an audiologist in the neighborhood who was willing to see her on Saturday, even though she was not his client.

Larry Franks and Dr. Ellen BerelsonThe success of the Center for Hearing and Communication today and over the past half century is due, in large part, to the extraordinary contributions of the Berelson family. From 1959 to 1991, Irving P. Berelson served as President of our Board of Directors, leading with compassion and vision. Irving's daughter Ellen continues his legacy of leadership through her distinguished and longstanding service on our Board of Directors and generosity as a philanthropic supporter.

It seems everyone is talking about hearing loops these days thanks to a recent story in The New York Times. While the technology’s not new, the public’s heightened interest in it certainly is, and we applaud the Times for putting this topic in the spotlight.

Ruth D. Bernstein, AdvocateIf you had an accident or became ill and had to spend an extended amount of time in the hospital, a nursing facility or at home, would your family or caretaker know which of your friends to contact and explain what happened to you?

Ellen Lafargue, Director, Shelley and Steven Einhorn Audiology Center, CHCYou know that audiologists at the Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC) are experts when it comes to the latest in hearing technology. But did you know they also have a pretty keen understanding of human nature?

Dorene Watkins, Co-Director of Turning Points Adolescent Workshop at the Center for Hearing and Communication, shares a letter from a parent who attended the workshop November 14, 2010. Many thanks to Dorene and Co-Director, Melody James, for bringing families together and creating such a meaningful and lasting experience. And thank you, Maria, for articulating so clearly the impact this experience has on the families who take part.

Dorene,

October 19th: The Next 100 Years Begin Now!

Thank you for making Hear for the Future a magical evening as well as a resounding fundraising success! Your support of "fund-a-cause" alone raised more than $20,000, an amount that will bring hearing health services, via our Mobile Unit, to 700 or more preschoolers in under-served neighborhoods throughout New York City.

In the heat of summer, one of my greatest pleasures is going to a movie theater and savoring several hours of fantasy in air conditioned comfort.  Movie going can be a challenge for me because, with my severe hearing loss, I have trouble understanding enough dialogue to enjoy the experience.  One solution is to find theaters showing open captions on the screen or rear window captions reflected from an LED panel at the rear of the theater onto a Lucite panel at my seat.

Audiologists everywhere recognize that children with bilateral hearing loss (in both ears) need to be fit with hearing aids in order to develop in every aspect of their lives – to learn to talk, to learn in school, and to be able to communicate with their friends and family at home, on the playground… everywhere. However, it is not always recognized that a unilateral hearing loss (hearing loss in one ear) can have a significant impact on a child’s development when treatment needs to be considered. A recent study conducted at Washington University in St.

Today is the 15th Annual International Noise Awareness Day. If you're planning to take part in one of the thousands of events scheduled around the globe, we applaud you. Hearing conservation and noise awareness are critically important issues that can impact not only your hearing but also your overall health and wellness.

No plans yet to participate in today's festivities?  It's not too late. In fact just reading this blog can be enough to open your eyes and ears to the risks of noise and the importance of hearing conservation.    

Q: It seems everywhere I go lately it's noisier than I can remember. What can I do to protect my hearing? I'm an amateur musician who hopes for a lifetime of music enjoyment.

A: You are not alone in your concern for the growing noise levels that surround us every day, and we commend you for wanting to be proactive and protect your hearing. Noise induced hearing loss is generally cumulative over time. While it is permanent, it is 100% preventable simply by using appropriate hearing protection when exposed to dangerous decibel levels.

The Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC) receives inquires about hearing health from around the world. The latest inquiry regarding children's hearing loss came from the mother of an 8 year old boy who lives in Zimbabwe. CHC is proud to be a global resource for people of all ages dealing with the concerns of hearing health.  

Cochlear implants have improved the quality of life for countless adults and children here at the Center for Hearing and Communication. Upon receiving an implant, a recipient typically discovers that the sound quality initially may not be ideal.  But with more and more practice listening, the quality of sound improves significantly as does comprehension.

Hospital stays can be a challenge for anyone. But for someone with hearing loss, it can present additional hurdles.  The Center for Hearing and Communication recommends that you inform the hospital of your communication needs to ensure access.  Something as simple as a placard over your bed informing people that you have a hearing loss and requesting that they face you when speaking can go a long way in making sure the hospital is tuned into your needs.

Did you know that the single most helpful thing that you can tell someone whose lips you are trying to read (aside from the need to look at you) is to SLOW DOWN!!  This both gives the speaker more time to say what he/she wants to tell you (the extra time allows them to speak better), and gives you more time to understand and process what they are saying.

Did you know that group speech therapy for infants and children with hearing loss is a critical tool in their preparation for mainstream education?  While individual speech and language therapy is extremely important for developing a child’s listening, speech and spoken language skills, it is group speech therapy that expands a child’s ability to use their skills with peers.  Within the classroom, children nee

Google unveiled new technologies yesterday that will bring captioning to millions of videos on YouTube.

A heartfelt welcome to our new website. 

As you click around the site, you'll be viewing our newest online showcase of assets.  And by assets, I mean our staff.  The professionals at CHC - audiologists, speech therapists, psychologists, social workers - are the reason why the Center for Hearing and Communication maintains its stellar reputation as the best place to address the needs of people with hearing loss.