Lines of Communication

The holidays can be joyful—and challenging—when you or someone you love has hearing loss. To help you make the most of the season, CHC has created four short videos offering practical, uplifting guidance. Check out our tips and strategies to help you hear more, make use of assistive technology, cope with stress, and support your child's hearing needs during the holidays. Together, these videos offer simple ways to bring more ease and connection to your celebrations.

Recently, a friend fell on a Sunday in a parking lot and broke her shoulder. Medics took her to the ER at the local hospital, where she spent two nights on a stretcher until they found a room for her. My friend, who lives in New Jersey, is single, elderly, and has one CI. Her second ear does not work at all. I found out about her accident when I shared a pastel drawing I had made in art class on Monday.

We’re excited to spread the word about Hi, I’m Kai, a wonderful new children’s book by Christina Roberts, with a titular character inspired by her son Kai who receives services at the Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC). It’s a joyful, empowering read that celebrates identity, curiosity, and confidence. We connected with Christina to learn more about what inspired the book and what she hopes families will take away from it.

The moment we walked into the Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC), we knew it was different. It wasn’t just the expert audiology care, speech therapy, and support from a teacher of the deaf—it was the sense of community we felt. The CHC community was there for me as the parent, and for Soli, too. Long before we knew what Soli’s life would hold, CHC believed in her, and had a vision for her future.

Lenire has been shown to reduce tinnitus severity more effectively than sound therapy alone. In clinical trials involving more than 600 participants, Lenire users reported significant relief. And in a second major study, 91% of participants experienced a reduction in tinnitus severity that was sustained for at least 12 months after treatment.

The Center for Hearing (CHC) and Communication is proud to spotlight three of our clinicians—Dominique Calandrillo, AuD, CCC-A, and Nicole Genser, AuD, CCC-A, and Sara Huzar, LMSW—who presented their insights and research at industry gatherings this fall. Their contributions reflect CHC’s leadership in innovation, accessibility, and whole-person hearing health care.

One of noise expert Arline Bronzaft's most enduring legacies is International Noise Awareness Day (INAD), founded in 1996 in collaboration with the Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC). Together, we created a global movement to raise awareness about the harmful effects of noise on hearing and health. What began as a small initiative in New York City has now spread across more than 40 countries.

I was in my 40s when my genetic hearing loss was diagnosed, and I started my journey of learning to cope with this invisible disability. With the holiday season approaching—and the many difficult listening situations it brings—here are some of the things I've learned over these 50 years.

At the Center for Hearing and Communication in New York, our approach to hearing assessment for people with cognitive changes is highly individualized. Some clients may need more time or a different testing approach. We often begin with a preliminary discussion by phone or Zoom that includes the client and a family member to understand specific needs, challenges, and goals. This preparation allows us to create the right accommodations before the in-person evaluation.

Running the New York City Marathon for CHC means the world to me. As a speech-language pathologist at CHC, I see every day how transformative our services are for the individuals and families we support. This marathon is more than just a personal challenge—it’s a chance to give back to an organization whose mission I deeply believe in. Fundraising for CHC allows me to amplify that impact by raising both awareness and essential funds to continue this life-changing work.

CHC will present the CHC Impact Award to Apple in recognition of the company's pioneering leadership in accessibility and inclusive design. Through groundbreaking features that expand communication access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, Apple has set a global standard for technological inclusion, transforming how millions connect, communicate, and participate fully in everyday life.

We're pleased to be an Official Charity Partner of the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon and proud of our team of six runners training for the big race, November 2nd, while raising funds to support our mission. Sophie Scott, looking to run her first marathon, is a dedicated member of Team CHC who recently had the honor of being named to NYRR’s Team Inspire—a recognition reserved for runners whose stories of resilience and purpose uplift us all.

At the Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC), we see how important literacy is for learning math. Before a child can add or subtract, they need to understand words that describe math ideas, such as more, less, bigger, and smaller. Families can support this learning by reading together and pointing out math words in stories, using them during daily routines, and reinforcing them through play.

If there's a child in your orbit feeling nervous about September, listen to them and validate their feelings. No one ever got over feeling anxious by being told not to be! And help them balance those worries by seeing the whole picture: What was fun last year that will happen again this year? Any special skills they'll learn or privileges they'll get? What are they looking forward to?

Before you dive into conversation, maybe offer your child with hearing loss some quiet time, along with a snack. Let them know you’re eager to hear about their day and will check in after they’ve had time to settle in at home and relax.  One quick tip: the more specific your question, the more specific the answer. Open-ended questions like “How was your day?” often fizzle, while focused prompts get kids talking.

If you missed last month’s CHC webinar, Understanding Tinnitus: An Introductory Workshop, you can now watch the full video recording. Presented by Michele DiStefano, AuD, CCC-A, CHC’s Director of Audiology, and Dominique Calandrillo, AuD, CCC-A, tinnitus specialist, this informative session offers valuable insights into the causes of tinnitus and evidence-based strategies for managing its symptoms.

I have the good fortune of being able to take advantage of all the hearing technology that has developed over these years—captioning, audio loops, Bluetooth, ever-shrinking and better hearing aids, and the wonder of cochlear implants, to name a few.

Center for Hearing and Communication proudly presents Team CHC—six runners preparing to tackle the 2025 TCS NYC Marathon while raising funds for CHC. We're thrilled for their support and commitment to our mission of empowering people affected by hearing loss, deafness or listening challenges.

Summer is a season for fun—but also for protecting your hearing. At the Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC), we know that baseball games, concerts, and fireworks are summer staples—but they can also pose a serious risk to your hearing.

When people use Eargasm earplugs, it's a win-win-win: concertgoers can enjoy live music without risking their hearing, CHC can expand our impact by educating the public about noise-induced hearing loss, and Live Nation reinforces its commitment to the long-term wellness of its audience.