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Celebrate Deaf Awareness Month with Inclusive Children's Books
By Gabriela Albigese September is Deaf Awareness Week, and we invite our community to celebrate by reading these incredible stories by children's authors, featuring d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing characters. To commemorate, several of the authors have come together to offer families 20% off signed books throughout the month of September. Use code DHHBooks on each author's website to save on these wonderful additions to your child's bookshelf. Happy reading! Books for Younger Kids
5 hours ago1 min read
WHO Recommends Hearing Treatment to Ensure Good Health and Quality of Life
By Michele DiStefano, Director of Audiology Michele DiStefano, AuD, CCC-A As an audiologist at the Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC), I frequently discuss with my clients the importance of hearing health and the impact it can have on our physical, emotional, and brain health. Lately, though, I don't have to raise the topic—my clients are doing that for me, as coverage has grown, plus new guidance from the World Health Organization encouraging treatment with hearing a
Jul 312 min read
Travel Tips for People with Hearing Loss
Sound Advice by Advocate Ruth D. Bernstein Ruth D. Bernstein, Hearing Access Ambassador Despite the passage of time, travel rules of the road haven't changed for people with hearing loss. We encounter the same problems all the time. The good news is that technology has improved, making it easier to cope. We have access to captioning apps on our smartphones such as Google's Live Transcribe and Apple's Live Captions. Airline apps notify travelers online when flights are delayed
Jul 314 min read
How to Protect Your Hearing Devices This Summer
Simple tips for protecting your hearing aids or cochlear implants from summertime sweat and humidity
Jul 312 min read
No-Sweat Summer Survival Tips for Parents of Children with Hearing Loss
By Nicole Genser, AuD, CCC-A Nicole Genser, AuD, CCC-A At CHC, we know kids love summer and all the adventures that come with it. Whether your child is heading to the pool, playing sports, or leaving for camp, a little planning can help ensure they’ll stay connected and included throughout the season, and that their hearing technology is protected. To help you prepare for summer fun, here are my No-Sweat Summer Survival Tips for Parents of Children with Hearing Loss: Schedule
Jul 303 min read
CHC-FL Expands Summer Camp for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
The MOST program, at the Center for Hearing and Communication in Ft. Lauderdale, provides year-round services for children ages 5–12 who are deaf or hard of hearing. The program offers a visually engaging, active, and enriching environment featuring activities focused on art and culture, music, science, and community service, while supporting academic achievement, social and physical development, and strong connections with peers, families, and the broader community.
May 202 min read
NYC Theater Accessibility for People Who are Hard of Hearing or Deaf
As an intern at CHC five years ago, I wrote a blog about theater accessibility technology on Broadway for those with hearing loss. Since then, both the shows and New York have changed, but my love of theater and the need for everyone to hear remain the same! Typically with hearing loss, it’s easy to miss critical plot points or important dialogue because it’s too dark or you’re too far away to catch the actors’ enunciation. It can be especially difficult when you miss a funny
May 179 min read
Tips for dining out when you have a hearing loss
A lot has changed since I first wrote this article about dining out with hearing loss. Here’s an updated version with a link to even more tech tips — including Auracast, remote mics and captioning apps — to help you better access sound and stay connected to the conversation while dining out.
May 123 min read
Hear the Difference this Spring: CHC-NY Special Hearing Aid Offer
Now through June 12, 2026, experience the latest in hearing technology at CHC-NY and qualify for a 10% discount on the purchase of premium hearing aids, plus other valuable benefits. Hear, communicate and live better with today's advanced hearing instruments. Benefit from discreet designs and cutting-edge features that that not only enhance your hearing, but also your lifestyle.
May 62 min read
A Breakthrough in Hearing Loss: What Gene Therapy Means for Families
Otoferlin-related deafness is caused by a problem in a specific gene, and it can severely affect a child’s hearing. But with this new gene therapy treatment, there’s now a chance to fix the genetic issue and help these children hear more clearly. For parents who aren’t sure what’s causing their child’s hearing loss, we encourage taking action to meet with a geneticist or genetics counselor to get a clearer picture of whether the hearing loss could be due to a genetic mutation
Apr 303 min read
CHC's Safe Listening Guide with Decibel Levels for Common Sounds
In celebration of International Noise Awareness Day, check out the Safe Listening Guide created by the Center for Hearing and Communication. It's an excellent educational tool, complete with decibel levels for common sounds and easy-to-remember safe listening tips. It's so critical to protect our hearing from noise because noise-induced hearing loss is permanent, yet preventable when we take a few simple steps.
Apr 281 min read
Bringing Hearing Care to Preschoolers in NYC and Florida
What if a child’s hearing challenges could be identified before they ever struggle in the classroom? That’s the goal of Project PATH (Preschool Access to Hearing)—a vital outreach initiative from the Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC) that brings professional hearing screenings directly to preschoolers in New York City and Broward County, Florida. Funded by generous private foundations and individual donors, Project PATH is provided at no cost to participating familie
Feb 273 min read
CHC's Enhanced Pediatric Intake Program Ensures 360° Support
A hallmark of the Center for Hearing and Communication’s (CHC) Pediatric Center is the Comprehensive Assessment Program, an enhanced intake experience in which parents of new pediatric clients meet together with the directors of CHC’s clinical departments—audiology, speech and language, education, and mental health—to ensure their child’s needs are understood and addressed from every angle.
Feb 272 min read
Childhood Hearing Loss: Causes, Signs, and Next Steps
If you’ve ever wondered whether your child is hearing everything they need to—you’re not alone. Questions about hearing are common, and paying attention early can make a lifelong difference. On World Hearing Day (March 3), we’re reminded that hearing health isn’t just a medical issue. It’s about communication, learning, confidence, and connection. Hearing plays a central role in how children develop speech and language, build friendships, and succeed in school.
Feb 265 min read
More than Words: The Meaning Behind the ASL I-Love-You Sign
ASL I-Love-You (ILY) sign is a handshape formed from American Sign Language (ASL). It combines three letters from the ASL alphabet: I, L, and Y, which together represent “I love you.” When signed as one gesture, it becomes a complete expression—short, quick, and incredibly meaningful. Many people assume ILY is reserved only for romantic relationships, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Feb 112 min read
Valentine's Day Tips for Better Communication with Hearing Loss
If someone you love has a hearing loss, one of the most meaningful ways to show you care is by helping them hear and connect more easily. Hearing aids and cochlear implants open the door to sound, but in noisy or challenging environments, simple communication strategies can make all the difference. This Valentine’s Day, try these thoughtful tips to help your sweetheart feel more included, understood, and part of every conversation.
Feb 92 min read
A Valentine's Day Gift: Home Safety Tips for People with Hearing Loss
Motivated by concerns about a close friend’s safety in her new home, Hearing Access Ambassador Ruth Bernstein reflects on what truly makes a home hearing accessible.
Feb 93 min read
Nancy Nadler, CHC's Deputy Exec. Director, Named Executive Director as Laurie Hanin Retires
The Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC), the longest running non-profit in NYC in the hearing health space, announces the upcoming retirement of Executive Director Laurie Hanin, Ph.D., CCC-A, after more than three decades of dedicated service. Nancy Nadler, M.Ed., M.A., currently Deputy Executive Director, has been appointed to succeed Dr. Hanin, effective June 15, 2026.
Feb 42 min read
Whimsy While We Work: Inside CHC's Education Center
Beyond the fun, the Turkening created a unique opportunity for CHC’s pediatric clients to practice important skills—including investigative journalism writing, and using clear question structure in back-and-forth conversation. As winter continued, CHC staff members grew to expect interruptions from mini-detectives demanding to know their whereabouts on the days that turkeys and snowmen appeared. A new, whimsical energy was brought into speech therapy and academic support sess
Feb 43 min read
Sound Strategies for Better Holiday Communication and Connection
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.
Dec 15, 20253 min read
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