Amplified by Hear Indiana

2025 Wrap up with CEO Ellyn McCall

https://www.hearindiana.org/donate/ [https://www.hearindiana.org/donate/] This episode from Amplified by Hear Indiana reflect on a year of providing specialized audiology and speech services to the deaf and hard of hearing community. The organization recently completed a significant clinic expansion that doubled their treatment space and added state-of-the-art sound booths designed for patient comfort and efficiency. Looking toward 2026, the non-profit plans to broaden its impact by launching adult services, which will help fund their primary pediatric mission. While the organization has successfully reduced its annual operating deficit, they are actively seeking donations to close a remaining funding gap. Future podcast episodes aim to feature firsthand stories from families and insights from partner organizations to highlight the collaborative nature of hearing healthcare in Indiana.

Accommodations w/ Dana Feiner

http://hearindiana.org/donate [http://hearindiana.org/donate] This podcast episode from Amplified by Hear Indiana features a discussion between host Britton Johnson and a teacher of the deaf Dana Feiner regarding accessibility and accommodations for the deaf and hard of hearing community. They emphasize that "planned seating" is a dynamic necessity rather than a fixed front-row requirement, as students need specialized positioning to optimize auditory clarity and visual cues. The conversation highlights various support tools, including remote microphone systems, closed captioning, and real-time translation services like CART to bridge communication gaps in both classrooms and social settings.

Comprehensive language and speech evaluations w/ Kelly - Episode 11

This episode of "Amplified," produced by Hear Indiana, featuring board member Britton Johnson and guest Kelly Hultman, a speech-language pathologist and parent of a child with hearing loss. The conversation centers on listening and spoken language (LSL) support for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, particularly focusing on speech and language assessments. Key topics discussed include the types of hearing loss (sensory neural, conductive, and mixed), the importance of early intervention and consistent hearing aid use, and the specifics of the free, comprehensive language and speech evaluations offered by Hear Indiana to track progress and inform individualized education plans (IEPs).

Parent Coaching w/Kristin and Dana

This episode features a discussion on parent coaching as a vital component of listening and spoken language sessions, emphasizing that parents are the child's most crucial teacher given they spend significantly more time with the child than professionals. Guests Dana Feiner and Kristin Schaaf discuss their professional backgrounds, the importance of a strength-based approach when coaching parents, and the need to meet families where they are, accounting for factors such as home language, cultural differences, and diverse learning styles. The hosts and guests also share resources and encouraging final thoughts for families navigating this journey.Resources: https://www.hearingfirst.org/

Audiology, Wear Time, and Child Development w/ Lauren Gowdy

In this episode of Amplified by Hear Indiana, host Britton Johnson speaks with audiologist Lauren Gowdy about the vital role Hear Indiana plays in supporting the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Gowdy describes audiology as a unique blend of art and science, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning as technology—especially AI and Bluetooth—rapidly evolves. The discussion explores the rise of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing products and the concern that negative experiences with unverified, self-fitted devices may discourage people from seeking professional care. A key focus of the episode is wear time—the consistent, daily use of hearing devices such as hearing aids or cochlear implants, particularly in children. Gowdy highlights that while many aspects of hearing loss are beyond a parent’s control, ensuring full-time device use (over 10 hours a day for children older than one) is the single most critical factor for a child’s long-term success. Consistent wear during the first three years of life is essential for optimal cognitive, social, and emotional development. Strategies to encourage wear time include creating routines like “eyes open, ears on,” using retention aids such as headbands or toupee tape, and implementing reward systems. For questions about hearing care, parents are encouraged to contact Hear Indiana’s audiology team at audiology@hearindiana.org, especially when unsure whether to reach out to a doctor, ENT, audiologist, or device manufacturer.