Written By Christine J. Ko

This is the second part of an ongoing series by Christine J. Ko, MD, a physician and a parent of a child who is deaf, based on her experiences from both sides of the stethoscope. When I talk to others about the healthcare interactions that they or family members have had, I hear too often there has been miscommunication, misunderstanding, or negative outcomes.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

Almost 30 years after Tilak Ratnanather, DPhil, began his advocacy mission for people with hearing loss in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the fruits of his labor have expanded exponentially. He and 41 colleagues who are all deaf and hard of hearing co-authored a first-of-its-kind article.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

The days are getting shorter and the mercury’s dropping. This can only mean that the holidays are approaching. In a world of constant change – especially these past two years – one thing remains the same: It’s always fun to give. Whether you have a child or loved one with hearing loss, Volta Voices has rounded up some gifts that are sure to make them smile.

Written By Cam Ellis

Students have had a uniquely difficult time during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Andi Kasri Unrut’s no exception. Andi – his friends call him Akas – studies law at the Esa Unggul University in West Jakarta, Indonesia, and was recently awarded AG Bell’s George H. Nofer Scholarship. Akas, who is deaf, said the scholarship, first and foremost, allowed him the peace of mind to continue with his education during the pandemic. 

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

Alexandra Grossi has been profoundly deaf since birth, but wasn’t diagnosed until she was a year and nine months old. Then residing in Massachusetts, her parents researched all the available options and chose the oral route for many reasons. The clinching factor in their decision was meeting an oral Harvard student who was deaf and thriving.

Written By Christine J. Ko

This is the first part of an ongoing series by Christine J. Ko, MD, a physician and a parent of a child who is deaf, based on her experiences from both sides of the stethoscope.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

The Translational Hearing Center at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska was recently awarded the largest National Institutes of Health grant in the history of the university. The project is led by Peter Steyger, Ph.D., Professor of biomedical sciences who is also deaf.

Written By Kirsten Ballard

Keith Vick has had a nonlinear career path: from mechanical engineer to part-time student to patent lawyer and philanthropist. Much of it was shaped by his hearing loss that he turned into opportunities.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

Pre-K teacher Michelle Puryear was no stranger to recognizing children’s behavior and learning. However, when her own child, Claire, was born, it took nearly six months before they realized she had hearing difficulty.

Written By Kirsten Ballard

Tara Hubbard’s twin sister did the talking when they were little. Their parents assumed Tara was just a quiet child. “We didn’t find out I am hard of hearing until I was about 4 years old – and I got hearing aids immediately,” she says. Now, Tara is a trial attorney by training and represents a tribe in Phoenix, Arizona in child welfare state court proceedings. She has been at this position for almost five years.

Written By Melody Bertrand

Earlier this year, AG Bell launched a free virtual program for teens who are deaf and hard of hearing. The Learning Experience and Adventure Program (LEAP) is a two-day virtual gathering of teens across the country where they can learn, grow, and develop together.

Written By Kirsten Ballard

“I love the critical problem-solving and strategic thinking required to practice law,” she says. “I also enjoy the exciting variability of the workflow, as no two days seem to be the same. Additionally, my goal is to help individuals solve some of the most difficult situations in their lives.”

Written By Melody Bertrand

The AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language is pleased to offer two scholarships for professionals seeking certification as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialists (LSLS®).

Written By Melody Bertrand

What does the future of hearing loss support look like? Five experts weigh in on a future that includes artificial intelligence, enhanced technology, gene therapy and more.

Written By Abbey Russell

Abbey Russell is a 23-year-old college graduate who is preparing to enter medical school. After 19 years of deafness in her left ear and hearing loss in the right, Abbey made the decision to undergo cochlear implant surgery.

Written By Kirsten Ballard

Success in the law profession (as well as life) does not come from hearing, but rather from listening. These were the wise words a mentor imparted to Kevin Quigley that have stuck with him.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

When the pandemic hit, Sydney Cooper* lost her independence. The cochlear implant recipient also lost her job because her company assumed she couldn’t communicate when others were masked. They wouldn’t even discuss any accommodations with her.

Written By Cam Ellis

If you think you’ve ever been stressed out by a job application, consider Nick Stone. Nick, who’s hard of hearing, faced a dilemma when filling out applications that few people realize exists, and even fewer understand.

Written By Sara Walsh

Summer play has perhaps never been more needed than in 2021. In a recent study, 100% of parents reported the pandemic limited timely access to health care services for their children with cochlear implants, and 96% agreed remote learning was challenging.

Written By Kirsten Ballard

Anat Maytal says she’s not surprised that she picked a profession where she is allowed to argue for a living. She’s been arguing and advocating for herself her entire life.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

This summer, AG Bell welcomed 12 interns to its virtual office to help out in a number of capacities. Interns are a critical part of the AG Bell staff and bring a wide breadth of knowledge and skills to the organization.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

As a teacher, Ann Lovett did more than just teach the students in front of her. She helped teach their families, too.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

At the beginning of the pandemic, seven-year-old Zachary Farrar – who has hearing loss — attended school virtually for four months. The central Illinois resident returned to in-person education for first grade and will be starting second grade this August.

Written By Melody Bertrand

Nearly 900 people from 47 countries representing all six inhabited continents participated in the AG Bell Global Listening and Spoken Language Virtual Symposium on June 24-25. Attendees came together in a digital learning environment to hear from leaders in the field of listening and spoken language (LSL) through an online learning platform.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

For more than half a century, Dr. Madell, a pediatric audiologist, speech-language pathologist, and certified LSLS Auditory-Verbal Therapist, has blazed trails and encouraged others to do the same.

Written By Melody Bertrand

The goal of the 2021 AG Bell Global Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) Virtual Symposium, June 24-25, is to give attendees a diverse perspective on how listening and spoken language is being developed and pursed internationally.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

This past year was, to say the least, not a normal one for students of any age. But for our graduates, milestones still come whether there’s a pandemic or not.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

As the academic year draws to a close, the pandemic’s effect on education is undeniable. As a result, many children have fallen behind in school. Kids with hearing loss are no exception, though it might be harder for them to catch up on their academics or therapy.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

Amber Hertz-Tang and Steve Tang talked about having kids who might be deaf before and after they married. They acknowledged it as a distinct possibility, yet assumed the odds were relatively low since Steve is the only one in the family with hearing loss. They knew, however, that should they be faced with a hearing loss diagnosis, they were well equipped.

Written By Julie Schulte

The inaugural session of AG Bell’s new program, Leadership Experience and Adventure Program or LEAP, was held via Zoom on May 14 and 15.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

Despite having been to numerous audiology appointments throughout her life, Jasmine Simmons had never seen an audiologist that looked like her.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

George H. Nofer was more than just an enthusiastic lawyer and educator. He was dedicated to advancing the education of children who are deaf and hard of hearing, and was particularly passionate about encouraging young, talented people to achieve their full potential. He passed away on April 19, 2021 at age 94.

Written By Ellen Rhoades Ed.S. LSLS Cert. AVT

Across all cultures, early amplification and auditory-based therapies are beneficial for families and their children with hearing loss.

Written By Melody Bertrand

The 2021 AG Bell Global Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) Virtual Symposium will focus on thriving in a changing world. Over the past year, we have all learned how to adapt and engage meaningfully in a digital environment.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

Brooke Kemper Alholm is the new development associate at AG Bell. Brooke is no stranger to AG Bell: her son, Cole, received legal and financial support as the family navigated the preschool years and his cochlear implant journey.

Written By Melody Bertrand

The keynote speakers who will present during the 2021 AG Bell Global Listening and Spoken Language Virtual Symposium represent a global perspective on the innovative and important ways to support and advance a listening and spoken language outcome for children all over the world.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

Last year, summer plans were uprooted due to the pandemic. This summer, things are gradually inching closer to normal. There are summer camp options both in person and virtually, and all are accessible for kids with hearing loss.

Written By Eka Kurnia Hikmat

The Rumah Siput Indonesia (RSI) Foundation was founded in 1999 by parents whose children received cochlear implants and received auditory-verbal therapy (AVT) abroad in Australia, USA, and Singapore.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

When something as simple as wearing a mask began to infringe on accessibility issues for people who rely on lip reading, brothers Jake and Patrick deHahn stepped in.

Written By Abbey Russell

What is it like having a new cochlear implant in a masked-up world? In many ways, receiving the implant during my gap year between undergraduate and graduate schools has been the most unexpected blessing.

Written By Stephanie Farber

Ophélie Dauger is an enthusiastic and experienced Speech Language Pathologist who practices in Châteaubriant, France.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

Eleanor Roosevelt’s well-known quote, “Behind every great man is a great woman,” applies well to Alexander Graham Bell and his wife Mabel.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

We have long partnered with Georgetown University, located two blocks from the Volta Bureau, to help us engage many talented, motivated students from a wide background of disciplines to help us on various projects, big and small.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

AG Bell is deeply grateful to the group of interns from Georgetown University who have collectively given hundreds of hours to our efforts to keep you informed, share knowledge, and provide support for Listening and Spoken Language.

Written By Calli Barker Schmidt

It’s been a challenging year for parents, educators and children as the Covid-19 pandemic has forced them from their brick-and-mortar schools into full-time virtual learning. Nearly a year into the first shutdowns, many children have yet to return to the classroom.

Written By Kirsten Ballard

Luke Chrzan has been playing hockey since he was 6 years old. Now 16, the New Jersey Titans goalie has dreams of playing in college and one day, the Deaf Olympics.

Written By Abbey Russell

My day to day life as a new cochlear implant (CI) user has been improving as I continue to adjust and learn. My cochlear implant has found itself attracted to doorknobs and my metallic bed post, has gotten tangled in my hair, and has fallen off almost every time I take off my mask.

Written By Mary D. McGinnis LSLS Cert. AVT

Although there is widespread agreement that early identification of hearing loss is important for long-term positive effects, neonatal and infant hearing screening is not yet implemented across all countries.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

Interns are an integral part of making AG Bell run smoothly. Every year, a new team of interns join us from universities around the country to help organize the day-to-day management of our membership, communications, events-planning, fundraising and more.

Written By Berta Burguera Arienza

“You should already have a cochlear implant in your left ear!” said the new, untried ear-nose-throat (ENT) doctor. It was February, 2018. His comment sparked the idea of ​​receiving an implant, once again.

Written By Melody Bertrand

With the continuing COVID-19 pandemic limiting travel, AG Bell set out to adapt its annual Global Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) Symposium as a virtual event, which was well received this past summer. Planning is well underway to provide an improved virtual symposium in 2021.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

We have four children: Dylan, 17; Amanda, 14; Amelia, 5; and Denton, 3. Dylan and Amanda are typical hearing children, while Amelia and Denton both are profoundly deaf with cochlear implants.

Written By Lisa Chutjian

AG Bell congratulates Caroline Yuk, who has been mentored by Dr. Tilak Ratnanather who leads AG Bell’s STEMM-HEAR initiative, on her award of the Marshall Scholarship. Caroline is a senior at the University of Alabama who will study neuroscience at the University of Oxford and audiology science at University College London next year.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

The holidays bring to mind joyful festivities and gatherings with family and friends. For people with hearing loss, however, this time of the year brings a unique set of challenges. Volta Voices talked to some adults who are deaf and hard of hearing around the world who share their expert tips.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

Coronavirus lockdown has been difficult for many of our AG Bell families. For some, it’s been harder than others—they’ve had pay cuts, lost jobs, or had to stop working to help their children through virtual schooling.

Written By Sara Walsh

Gretchen Overton’s daughter is 2 ½-years-old and knows more than a thousand words—the average 2-year-old knows about 300. This Christmas will be her daughter’s third with hearing aids, too.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

Back in August, Tina Morris made the difficult decision to send her son Karsen—who is deaf and wears cochlear implants—to brick and mortar school because his needs were more likely to be met. Unfortunately, after only a few weeks of school, the Morrises had to pull him out.

Written By Abbey Russell

Abbey Russell is a 23-year-old college graduate who is preparing to enter medical school. After 19 years of deafness in her left ear and hearing loss in the right, Abbey made the decision to undergo cochlear implant surgery.

Written By Ellen Rhoades Ed.S. LSLS Cert. AVT

Infant-directed speech (IDS), also referred to as caregiver talk, baby talk, or parentese, is the way many adults around the world typically talk to infants and young children. In addition to using simpler words, caregivers tend to repeat those words in a slower rate of speech that is higher pitched with an exaggerated melody and pitch.

Written By Emilio Alonso-Mendoza

AG Bell’s Leadership Opportunities for Teens (LOFT) Program long benefited from the kind support of Bonnie and Marty Tenenbaum, and many of our young adults have expressed their gratitude over the years. We are saddened by the loss of Bonnie, who passed away on October 15, 2020 at the age of 76.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

Following the success of this year’s event, AG Bell has announced its dates for the 2021 Global Listening and Spoken Language Virtual Symposium to be July 8-9. Co-chairs for 2021 are Jane Madell, Elizabeth Tyszkiewicz, and Fernanda Hinojosa.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

Abigail Russell, or Abbey, an AG Bell intern and a Leadership Opportunities for Teens (LOFT) graduate, recently decided to get her first cochlear implant—at the age of 23. Born with a condition called Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct (EVA), which affects hearing in children, Abbey’s hearing fluctuated in and out for the first few years, although she says she could usually hear.

Written By Carol Flexer

Many research papers report that children with hearing loss, when diagnosed and enriched with auditory language at a very young age, are able to achieve age-appropriate spoken language communication just like their peers with typical hearing.

Written By Valli Gideons

My 13-year-old daughter, Harper, is a tenacious and determined teen. She has possessed gusto since the moment she entered the world, which is what led her to publish a children’s book about hearing loss.

Written By Julie Swaim

It’s truly an honor to be asked to help parents and grandparents who are on the journey with their child who is deaf or hard of hearing and is learning to listen and talk. For many, this is an unexpected journey…

Written By Rin-rin Yu

Jack McConnell describes the kid-version of himself as “a basic, bland kid who liked his comic books,” but he is anything but basic or bland. At age 11, he started his own nonprofit called 20/20 Hearing, directed at funding audiology equipment and services for people who needed them.

Written By Lexi Logan

Our son, Phoenix, is a born artist. He has always been passionate about film and television. He has a mature sense of analyzing film as an art and dives deep into each genre. He watches and researches all types of film—foreign, classics, the ‘80’s, etc.—and loves to be challenged about the medium.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

Left to Right: Courtney Pakenham, Grace, Lindsay Zombek Written By: Lisa A. Goldstein At the end of March 2020, when much of the U.S. was under lockdown due to COVID-19,…

Written By Rin-rin Yu

After becoming profoundly deaf due to bacterial meningitis, a Pennsylvania baby becomes one of the youngest people in the United States to receive cochlear implants—and all during the pandemic, when doctor’s offices and hospitals were severely limited in terms of visitation.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

AG Bell’s new chairs, Susan Lenihan, PhD, CED, and Jenna Voss, PhD, CED, LSLS Cert. AVEd, are entering their respective leaderships at an interesting time, to say the least.

Written By Joni Alberg

In an effort for qualified professionals to reach more families, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), in collaboration of the National Council of State Boards of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology…

Written By Rin-rin Yu

Yet another of AG Bell’s annual highlights, the Leadership Opportunities for Teens (LOFT), remained unthwarted by the pandemic this July. Though the event moved online, it still brought together teenagers who are deaf and hard of hearing from around the country…

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

The school district in St. Augustine, Florida, where Tina Morris lives is providing synchronous teaching for families who choose online. Initially, the plan was for Morris’ son—who is deaf or hard of hearing and wears cochlear implants—to log into each class period every day…

Written By Rin-rin Yu

John Stanton serves on AG Bell’s Board of Directors. As a lawyer, he has advocated for AG Bell in a variety of legal matters. He served as AG Bell’s counsel in court cases impacting the rights of people who are deaf and hard of hearing, as well as more generally for people with disabilities.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

Christine Anthony, a cochlear implant recipient from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, recently found herself almost in tears after a lunch outing with her mom and daughter.

Written By Ellen Rhoades Ed.S. LSLS Cert. AVT

What is infant-direct speech (IDS)? It’s a method of language development that uses simpler words, repetition, a higher range of pitch and slower rate of speaking to help a child learn to speak.

Written By Rin-rin Yu

Every summer, AG Bell welcomes four interns to work alongside its staff to experience how a nonprofit works, to learn about the AG Bell community, and to provide support for its functions and events.

Written By Melody Bertrand

Nearly 900 people from 40 countries representing all six inhabited continents participated in the AG Bell Global Virtual Listening and Spoken Language Symposium, July 9-10. Attendees came together in a virtual learning environment to hear from leaders in the field of listening and spoken language through a variety of online learning formats.

Written By Erin Stilwell AG Bell Arizona Board Member

On April 23, 2020, professionals and members of the community who are deaf and hard of hearing came together online for an enlightening panel discussion about how COVID-19 has affected those living with hearing loss.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

Recent graduates who are deaf and hard of hearing have faced unique challenges as members of the Class of 2020 during COVID-19. High school and college seniors have missed out on traditions they’ve looked forward to and earned, including graduation.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

This will be a summer to remember. Family trips and summer camps have been cancelled due to COVID-19. When it’s hot outside and school’s not in session, how will the kids stay occupied?

Written By Ellen Rhoades Ed.S. LSLS Cert. AVT

Statistical learning is a foundational ability to detect regularities in the natural world. It means developing a sensitivity to distributional and statistical regularities in the environment. Newborns are known to be statistical learners in that they can decipher and recognize patterns from information presented to them.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

India has lost a pioneer and advocate for listening and spoken language. Saraswathi Narayanaswamy, 78, passed away recently after a brief illness.

Written By Melody Bertrand

The 2020 AG Bell Global Virtual Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) Symposium will be a place to learn, network and connect with colleagues all over the world—without needing to travel.

Written By Emilio Alonso-Mendoza

Welcome to the new, faster, mightier, digitized Volta Voices! Our online format will only differ in platform and presentation from our retired print version, but we will continue to bring you high-quality reporting and writing from our award-winning team.

Written By Pedro Bras da Silva

My name is Pedro Brás da Silva and I have worked as a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) in Portugal for about 20 years, almost all of them working with babies, children and adolescents who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH).

Written By Kimberly Hunt

Ordinarily, I dance five days a week. I go to North Idaho College four days a week, and attend high school classes online, and work at least two days a week.

Written By Lisa A. Goldstein

Now that school has gone virtual, kids who are deaf and hard of hearing are adjusting to the new classroom. What challenges are they facing, and what are the solutions?