Come learn about why hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ear) occurs, what are the signs to look out for and steps for addressing it. Often hearing loss can make communicating with others challenging and even sometimes frustrating or embarrassing when it is difficult to hear others clearly. Tinnitus can be extremely difficult to live with. This session will also cover practical solutions for enhancing communication when interacting by phone/video call, in-person groups and in noisy settings such as restaurants or social gatherings. We will also share information about CHC's Tinnitus Retraining Therapy program. This talk is appropriate for individuals with hearing loss and/or tinnitus, for those who are curious about the topic, as well as any family members and friends who are concerned about or seeking support for a loved one or friend coping with hearing loss or tinnitus. We will allocate time for Q & A, so bring your questions!

Center for Hearing and Communication ("CHC") is a leading non-profit hearing rehabilitation clinic offering state-of-the-art hearing testing, hearing aid fittings and repair, speech therapy and mental health services for people with hearing loss of all ages. CHC's goal is to enable communication without limits through comprehensive technological, medical and educational solutions and support for individuals and families. Care is provided in-person at CHC's clinic in NYC in Lower Manhattan (50 Broadway, 6th Floor) as well as remotely via CHC's telehealth platform.

Shelby Platia is an experienced licensed audiologist providing comprehensive audiological services for both adults and children. This includes diagnostic testing, hearing aid evaluation/fittings, counseling and Central Auditory Processing Disorder evaluations (CAPD testing). Shelby also provides hearing screenings and hearing health education as part of CHC's outreach program to the city's social service programs for older adults. Shelby did her residency at CHC and obtained her Doctor of Audiology degree at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, in May 2021. Shelby’s capstone project, Experience and Satisfaction with Hearing Aid Services Delivered via Tele-audiology in Adult Populations: A Systematic Review, was accepted in April, 2021.

Carolyn Stern is the Director of Outreach at CHC where she leads grant funded educational and hearing diagnostic programs for New York City's older adult communities and health and social service providers aimed at increasing awareness of and providing attainable solutions for hearing loss. Given Carolyn's personal experience with a progressive hearing loss since childhood and her recent successful adoption of two cochlear implants, she is passionate about helping others touched by a hearing challenge. Prior to her work at CHC, she had a career in marketing and product management for the consumer goods industry. She earned her MBA at Columbia University School of Business and BA at Northwestern University.