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Hard of Hearing Services

hardofhearing

Did you know hearing loss strikes at any age? Some are born with hearing loss and one in five teenagers and adults experience loss.  The older we get the more common it becomes; from ages 66-74 it’s one in three people and from 75 years old and up it’s one in two people.  In Utah alone, there are approximately 600,000 people who have a hearing loss of some sort.  What are some of the signs of hearing loss?

  • Hearing voices but not understanding everything being said.
  • Having a hard time understanding dialog on the phone or on the television
  • Needing repeats often
  • Difficulties at large gatherings or meetings
  • Isolation, because it’s so hard to hear
  • Tinnitus, ringing in the ears, can be a sign of hearing loss

We can help! We offer many different resources that include: classes & presentations to help change communication habits for those with hearing loss and their family members, help in understanding hearing aids better, (and learning their limitations), available accommodations and more. We have a Assistive Technology Resource Room with different assistive listening devices for Utahans to try before they buy.  We have several Hard of Hearing Assistants around the state that can help, see the list below.

Hard of Hearing Specialists available in various Utah Counties

  • Box Elder, Cache, and Rich Counties: Currently vacant
  • Davis and Weber Counties: Currently vacant
  • Daggett, Duchesne and Uinta Counties: Currently vacant
  • Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele and Wasatch Counties: Sue Ordonez.
  • Utah, Juab and Carbon Counties: Andi Fuller and Currently vacant 
  • Sevier, Beaver, Millard and Emery Counties: Currently vacant
  • San Juan County and Moab: vacant
  • Washington, Iron and Kane Counties: Michelle Pequignot

Resources

The Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP) and the Hard of Hearing Program teamed up to talk about assistive listening devices in these captioned videos. DSDHH offers a 30 day loan program to try before you buy. We don't sell anything but we can show you various places to get the devices from.

Utah Assistive Technology Program offers a small grant option for Utahns who cannot afford assistive devices. These grants are for Utahns with low income who are at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines and have no other funding source. To find out more visit uatpat.org.

  • Contego communication system: A short video demo
    video description: An introduction to the Contego device, how it compares to other hearing technology, how to use it, and where to "try before you buy" in Utah. Many thanks go to Utah's Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for sharing this information!
  • PockeTalker: a short video demo
    video description: An introduction to the Pocketalker, how to use it, where it's useful, how it compares to hearing aids, and where you can go to "try before you buy" in Utah. Many thanks go to Utah's Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for sharing this information!
  • Neck loops: a short video demo
    video description: A look at neck loop technology, where it is helpful, how to find out if it works with your hearing aids, and where you can try it out in Utah. Many thanks go to Utah's Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for sharing this information!
  • Hearing Tech for Life:  our hard-of-hearing experts speak out via Google Meet about communication platforms and other assistive technology that helps them survive life, the holidays and the perils of navigating a mask-wearing world. JoLynne Lyon www.usu.edu

    Instructions for Transcript: Look for: " Visit our podcast website for a complete transcript. " above the green PLAY button. Click on the link, it comes up as "Show Notes" then to the right is "Full Transcript"

Videos - May's Better Hearing and Speech Month

In May of each year, the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing celebrate the Better Hearing and Speech Awareness month. It's an opportunity to raise awareness about people with hearing loss. 

Support Groups

Support Groups Flyer

Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)
HLAA has its chapter meeting on every 3rd Wednesday of each month (except December).  The meeting room is equipped with a personal FM radio system so all can hear better. We also use CART technology, so that the spoken words are captioned and projected on a screen.

Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA)
ALDA has a social gathering occasionally throughout the year. Contact Kathy Evans for more information.

Say What Club

Contact

Utah Hard of Hearing Facebook

Kelly Boehmer
Hard of Hearing Supervisor
801-266-4536 v
801-657-5220 vp
kboehmer@utah.gov

Sue Ordonez
Hard of Hearing Specialist
801-561-1929
sordonez@utah.gov

Michelle Bertaccini
Hard of Hearing Specialist
435.652.2456 v
385.271.6220 cell
mpequignot@utah.gov