You're Invited! - Center for Communication, Hearing & Deafness

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InformAtIon from wISconSIn’S hEArInG & SPEEch rESourcE | Spring 2012
finding her own Style:
Kayleigh rucktenwald proves that being deaf doesn’t
have to stand in the way of a career that you love
It’s a gloomy February afternoon and the snow is just
beginning to fall, but you wouldn’t know it stepping into
Kayleigh Rucktenwald’s lively salon, Natural Beauty
Group. Lots of light, warm hardwood floors, and soft
velvet lilac furniture greet you; as does bright, vivacious
Kayleigh, who just happens to be deaf. She is also one
of CCHD’s newest volunteers.
Kayleigh is a lifelong resident of SE Wisconsin and grew
up in Cedarburg with a sister and three step-sisters. The
younger of two daughters, Kayleigh was not born deaf,
but contracted bacterial meningitis as a toddler and as
a result, developed profound hearing loss in both ears.
However, eager young Kayleigh did not let that deter her.
“My deafness did not stop me from wanting to live my
life and reach my goals. In fact, it made me work harder
to overcome my disability and be successful,” she says. To
that end, Kayleigh became fluent in ASL and eventually
began getting more involved in the Deaf community.
For most of her life, Kayleigh wore hearing aids, but when
she was 20, she received a cochlear implant in her left ear.
www.cchdwi.org | Spring 2012 | PAGE 1
CENTER for
COMMUNICATION
HEARING &
DEAFNESS
CENTER for
COMMUNICATION
HEARING &
DEAFNESS
CENTER for
COMMUNICATION
HEARING &
DEAFNESS
Two months ago, after having lost all useable hearing in
her right ear, she received a second implant to help her
hear again. “Having both is still very new,” she says of her
cochlear implants, “but I am very proficient in lipreading.
People always ask what country I’m from thinking I have
an accent before finding out I’m actually deaf.”
After studying cosmetology at Vici Capilli Beauty School,
Kayleigh worked at other local salons and then, in
December 2011 she moved into the current space she rents
on Milwaukee’s East Side with business partner Kim Flood.
Kayleigh says that she likes the flexibility of having her own
space and enjoys the challenge of having to do her own
promotion and marketing. But, choosing a profession that
relies so heavily on communication and client interaction
hasn’t always been easy for her. Says Kayleigh, “I have to
admit that when I first started out, some salons were skeptical
about hiring me due to my deafness. People tend to judge
me quicker because of it and that’s why I always go out of
my way to prove otherwise.” But, becoming a hair stylist
was something that she wanted to do ever since she first
stumbled on her talent back in high school, when she did
her best friend’s hair for Homecoming. “People thought she
got it done professionally,” remembers Kayleigh. Later, she
realized that, “maybe this is my calling and what I should
do for a career.” After making that decision, nothing was
going to stand in her way.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
- Join us for the 85th Anniversary celebration
& Gardens Luncheon on may 10th
- Don’t miss the 2012 walk 4 hearing
- how do I know if I have hearing loss?
- cchD is featured charity on Groupon
- Scenes from winter wonderland and night
at the movies

Kayleigh’s salon, natural Beauty Group (www.
naturalbeautygroupmke.com) is located on milwaukee’s
East Side and welcomes clients who are deaf, hard of hearing
and hearing.
As a longtime customer of CCHD’s UniversaLink store,
Kayleigh has been familiar with the Center for years and has
witnessed first-hand the dramatic improvements in hearing
assistance technology – everything from captioned phones
and Bluetooth listening devices to the cochlear implants
that she now uses to hear. She recognizes how important
resources like CCHD are in the community – to ensure
that individuals with all levels of hearing loss have access
to the products and services they need to be successful,
whether it’s at school or in their career. That’s why, when
Kayleigh was looking for volunteer opportunities, she
chose to contact CCHD. So now, when she’s not cutting,
coloring, or working hard to put a smile on another client’s
face, Kayleigh spends her Wednesday nights volunteering
at CCHD as a greeter for the American Sign Language
(ASL) I class, and helps at other CCHD events, such as the
upcoming Family Focus Night at the Betty Brinn Children’s
Museum for families with children who have hearing loss.
“I’m happy to do it,” says Kayleigh about her volunteer
activities, “and I love meeting new people.”
Kayleigh says that she enjoys giving back to her community
and is looking forward to this June, when she plans to host
an open house at her salon geared towards potential clients
who may be deaf or hard of hearing and their family and
friends. “I want people to know that I am fluent in ASL,
am deaf, and can help them by providing great service,
as I know that sometimes it can be hard for people with
hearing loss to communicate with those who are hearing,
especially when they need hair or other services done.”
At work, Kayleigh thrives on client interaction and says
she’s definitely a perfectionist. “My goal is to provide
excellent service while making you feel as if you have
truly left the cares of the world behind.” More recently,
she has been involved with several photo shoots – ranging
from fashion shows at Harley-Davidson and Apartment
720 to shoots for local publications, like 414 Magazine.
Kayleigh is a very determined young woman who already
has her sights set on opening her own salon within the
next few years, and she also plans to continue advancing
her cosmetology training -- and making a difference in the
community. For Kayleigh, setting goals and maintaining
high expectations are the keys to her success. When asked
what motivates her most each day she says, “I love the
expression on a client’s face [when we finish].” It’s the
satisfaction she gets from making people happy, and
helping them get the results they want. And undoubtedly,
this positive attitude and commitment to service will
bring her continued success in her career, and in life.
CCHD is Featured Charity on Groupon
While you may already be
familiar with Groupon, the group
purchasing website that offers a
variety of local daily deals on
restaurants, stores and services, you may not know about the
G-Team, Groupon’s philanthropic arm, which helps non-profits
across the country raise money for special projects.
In January, CCHD was proud to be chosen as a featured local
charity on Groupon, and thanks to the help of the G-Team
and many generous contributors from across the country -
and even Canada - CCHD was able to reach its fundraising
goal and raised more than $500 in support of the Center’s
FamilyLink program during this special 3-day online campaign.
FamilyLink fieldtrips are monthly community outings organized
by CCHD for families currently receiving services through
the Center. These activities help children with hearing loss
interact with peers who face similar challenges and help
foster spontaneous language development through interactive
play. The FamilyLink fieldtrips also provide parents with
opportunities to meet and share their experiences, to help
create a larger network of support.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this opportunity such
a success!
cEntEr for communIcAtIon, hEArInG & DEAfnESS | Spring 2012 | PAGE 2

| FoCus on | recent Events
scenes from Winter Wonderland!
On December 3, more than 100 children and their families joined CCHD for
its annual Winter Wonderland holiday party. Guests enjoyed entertainment
from “Bubble-ologist” Karl Debelack plus games, cookie decorating and a
visit from the Signing Snowman.
Thanks to US Bank for helping with the Center’s toy drive so each child could
receive a holiday gift this year too!
www.cchdwi.org | Spring 2012 | PAGE 3
CCHD night at the Movies
On February 9, more than 70 people
joined CCHD for a private screening
of the Academy Award winning film,
“The Artist,” at the Marcus Majestic
Cinema in Brookfield.
The first silent movie made in 77 years,
“The Artist” takes place in the late
1920’s just as Hollywood is making the
transition from silent films to ‘talkies’.
It follows the careers of a silent movie
icon and an up-and-coming star of the
‘talkie’ era, and shows the impact that
this dramatic shift in technology has on
their lives.
A great movie for everyone to enjoy,
regardless of ability to hear, “The Artist”
was a good excuse to have a fun evening
out with friends, and CCHD was happy
to see so many familiar faces at the event.
Thanks to everyone who attended,
and special thanks to the staff at the
Marcus Majestic Cinema for their help
in coordinating this special screening.

Donors
Thanks to our donors who
help make it possible to
continue the work of
CCHD.
we gratefully acknowledge
the contributions recorded
between november 18,
2011 and february 15, 2012.
Every effort has been made
to ensure that all donors are
listed. If there are inadvertent
errors or omissions, please
call 414-604-7211.
Donors:
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Alpren
David Anderson and Laura
Petrie Anderson
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Andritsch
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Anthony
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Aronson
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony
Asmuth III
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Backus
Franz Backus and Gail Kursel
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Baish
Professor Lawrence Baldassaro
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Ballas
John Bannen
Vicki Barrie
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Barron
Barbara Barrow
Mr. and Ms. Dennis
Barthenheier
Mary Ann Barton
Rochelle Bast
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Baumgatner
Mr. and Mrs. John Baumgartner
Julie Baumgartner and
Mike Orth
Mr. and Mrs. James Baxter
Drs. Carl and Susan Becker
Marge Becker
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Bellin
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Benish
Susan R. Bennett
David G. Berg
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Bergum
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Blank
Dr. and Mrs. Steven Blatnik
John Bohler
Gregory Boicourt
Francis A. Bongey
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bonner
Mr. John Borges
Dr. and Mrs. Henry J. Bradley
Donald Bristol
Ann Brotz
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Brown
Dorothy Buck
Mr. and Mrs. John Carpenter
Mr. and Mrs. Norm Christman
Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Churchill
Michael J. Cleary
Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Cohen
Mr. and Mrs. Dave Collins
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy S. Collins
Mr. and Mrs. Michael
Comerford
Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Cross
David Cumberland
Hon. Pat Curley & Steven Jacobs
Helen Dalton
Betty G. Davis
Mr. and Mrs. John Davis
John L. Davis
Sandy Davis
Elizabeth Dean
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dean
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Dempsey, Jr.
Ms. Rita Denny
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Dixon
Mr. and Mrs. Erv Dohmen
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Dorf
Mr. and Mrs. John Dragisic
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Dreske
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Drew
Steven R. Duback
Dr. and Mrs. Howard Dubner
Robert C. Duero
Mary Alice Dunn
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ehrmann
Margie Engevold
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Feinstein
Howard Felix
Joseph Filachek
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Francis
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy C.
Frautschi
Mike Friehe
Hannah Frisch
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Frisch
Mrs. Barbara Fuldner
Thomas Funk
Mr. and Mrs. George Gaspar
Anna M. Gebhardt
John Gehlhaart
Clarence Gendrich
Kathy Gilardi
Perry Glasgow
Jodi Glennon
Sue Godfrey
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Goergen
Mr. and Mrs. Michael
Goldammer
Donald L. and Valerie D.
Gottschalk
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Grossman
Ruth Grudzinski
Mr. and Mrs. William Haberman
Brienne Hale
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hamilton
Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Harkins
Mr. and Mrs. Rich Harland
Mr. Robert Harris
Dr. Steven A. Harvey
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hauske
Ryan Heckman
Mr. and Mrs. John Heinen
David Hempel
Gertrude Hessel
Patricia Hicks
Patricia A. Hintz
Jim Holtz
Carolyn Homer
Dr.and Mrs. S. Frederic Horwitz
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Hough
Mr. and Mrs. Terry Hoy
Dorothy Imse
Mr. Bruce and Dr. Beth Jacobs
Burleigh E. Jacobs
Mr. and Mrs. William Jacobs
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Jacobson
Carol Jahnke
Margaret James
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kamps
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kania
Alice B. Kehoe
Mr. and Mrs. Ted Kellner
Mr. and Mrs. David Kern
Dorothy Kerr
Ralph Kling
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Koenings
Christine Kometer
Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Kometer
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Komisar/
BiltRite Furniture Inc.
Maureen Komisar
Mark Kornetzke
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Krizek
Kathryn Lambron
Joan Hilary Landry
Mr. and Mrs. Jon Langenfeld
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Laskin
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Law
Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Leack
Mr. and Mrs. David M. Leist
Irene Lenhardt
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Levy
Mr. and Mrs. James Lewenauer
John Lewenauer
Sharon Lichter
Mr. and Ms. Max Limmer
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Logsdon
Lynn Lucius and Richard Taylor
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ludka
Lois Lurie
Mr. and Mrs. David MacGregor
David Madson
Dr. Jay Larkey and Ms. Lois
Malawsky
Dr. and Mrs. Sandy Mallin
cEntEr for communIcAtIon, hEArInG & DEAfnESS | Spring 2012 | PAGE 4
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Margolis
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Marshall
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Martin
Kristine Martinsek
Mr. and Mrs. James Meisser
Mr. and Mrs. George Meyer
Mr. and Mrs. Max Montgomery
Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Moroder
Mr. and Mrs. Marc Moroder
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Morris
Polly Morris
Mr. and Mrs. James Morrisey
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Movrich
Patricia Murphy
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Nest
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Neumiller
Georgine Notiling
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ochowicz
Mr. and Mrs. Ted O’Leske
Mr. and Mrs. Larry O’Leske
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Olsson
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Omdahl
Amy Ostop
Lauren Pagenkopf
Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Parsons
Shirley Patzke
Cora Jean Perez
Mr. and Mrs. David J. Petersen
Elaine Peterson
Mr. and Mrs. James Petrie
Bruce and Candy Pindyck
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pintar
Ann Powers
Wendy Pribbanow
Joy E. Rader
Dr. and Mrs. Glenn F. Ragalie
Barbara Recht
John Redzinski
James Reiher
Mr. and Mrs. Will J. Reimer
Rosalie Reinke
Roy Repinski
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Ribich
Beverly Rice
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Richman
Steven Rinzel
Cindy Rooks
Harold Rosen
Mr. and Mrs. Mason Ross
Dorothy Roth
Betty Rupple
Mark Salmieri
Max Samson
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schley
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Schmid
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J.
Schmidt
Mr. and Mrs. Pete Schmitz
Mr. and Mrs. James Schubert
Mr. and Mrs. Dave Schulz
Paul and Kris Schulze
Mr. and Mrs. Jon Schumacher

Donors
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Schuyler
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Schwerin
Jim Scott
Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Scott
Darlene Seegert
Dr. Joseph Serflek
Mr. and Mrs. John Shaw
Polly B. Siegel
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Smul
Gary Sockness
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Solsrud
Mr. Andy Spellman and Ms.
Natasha Duvall
Mary Stearns
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stecher
Dan Stefanich
Peter M. Steffen
Mr. and Mrs. Gorden Steinbach
Jo Steinberg
Mark Steinhardt
Lester Stephanie
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Straszewski
Jane Boller Stroebel
John R. Summers
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tenges
J. Darrell Thomas
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Tierney
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E.
Tierney IV
Martin P. Tierney
Robert Titley and Sharon Riley
Richard Tomashek
Deborak Tomczyk
Mr. and Mrs. John Touchett
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Turner
Brian Tyndall
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Umhoefer
Andrew H. Uravich
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Van
Genderen
Nancy VandenBerg
Bernie and Deb Vash
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Venable
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wakefield
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Wanta
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W.
Wanvig
Mike Ward
Mr. and Mrs. James Weber
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Wedel
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Weiss
Robert Welch
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Wells
Jeff Westein
Mr. and Mrs. George Whyte, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Wigdale
Dr. and Mrs. D. Maclean
Willson
Elisabeth Wright
Mr. and Mrs. James Wyant
Dr. Charles Yang and Dr. Peggy
Tong
Mr. and Mrs. Merrill York
Mr. and Mrs. Dominick Zarcone
Mr. and Mrs. David Zimbler
Dan Zimmer
organizations &
foundations:
Abbott Laboratories Matching
Gift Program
Affiliated Products
Anthony Petullo Foundation
BMO Financial Corp.
Bostik Inc.
Greater Milw Foundation - Joan
and Peter W. Bruce Fund
Edward U. Demmer Foundation
The Emch Foundation
Garland Alliances
HLAA - Milwaukee
Hupy and Abraham, S.C.
Ladies Philoptochos Society
Kassiani/Sts. Constantine and
Helen Church
Mosher Family Foundation
New Berlin Lions Club, Inc.
The Other Stratton Foundation
Perlick Corporation
Prescott Family Foundation
Professional Hearing Services
Robert W. Baird & Co.
Foundation Inc.
Greater Milw Fndn - Seeger
Family Foundation
Selzer Ornst Co.
Shorewest Realtors
The Stratton Foundation
Suzanne & Richard Pieper
Family Foundation
Vilter Foundation, Inc.
Wauwatosa Savings Bank
Foundation
The Windhover Foundation
Wisconsin Families for Hands
and Voices
In memory of:
Leon Bongey
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Block
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Gerke
Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Hutchinson
Sondra Breslauer
Robert Breslauer
Virginia Christian
Donald Christian
Anna Schubert
Scott and Laura Schubert
James E. Lambron
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wilson
Thomas Luckow
Judith Luckow
Marvin Miller
Diane D. Miller
Rosalyn Matsoff
Julian Matsoff
Ella M. Renz
Marilyn Buenning
In honor of:
Aiden Asselin
Debra Nelson
Franz Backus
Mr. and Mrs. William Boyd
Franz Backus and Gail Kursel
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen
Einhorn
Steven Duback
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Smith
Robert Frisch
Mr. and Mrs. Gregg Herman
Marie Kordus
Mr. and Mrs. Benedict N.
Kordus
Rita Lewenauer
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Zaret
Wade Lindmark
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Buerosse
Dorothy Minert
Ester Weinberger
Tim Murphy
Tom Moore
Andrash Sea Otis-Pasternak
Dr. and Mrs. Derick Pasternak
Kelly Rehbeck
Kim S. Turner
Nicholas Ribich
Ryan Green
Noah Ribich
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Dietrich
Mr. and Mrs. David Haugen
John Russo and Winny Hung
Mr. and Mrs. Greg Leahy
John Olin
Gavin Schroeder
Roland Schroeder and Mary
Mowbray
Ellizabeth Serflek
Vicki Serflek
Sara Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith
Brian Tyndall
Mary Campbell
Mary J. York
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Jeide
Mr. and Mrs. David Pizur
www.cchdwi.org | Spring 2012 | PAGE 5
Volunteer corner
CCHD is grateful to the
dedicated volunteers who
help support the Center’s
mission of helping others.
Recent volunteers include:
Anna Baish
Sam Ballas
Lisa Bowe
Justin Corcoran
Kyleigh Corder
Cassandra DaValt
Ehren Dei
Mary Deuster
Sadi Dudley
Marissa Fischer
Ashley Freeman
Cindy Freeman
Krista Gregory
Athena Grice
Elyse Hall
Rod Hall
Emily Jansen
Alisa Jungbluth
J.J Kravit
Lily Lalios
Jody Lopez
Melissa Manjarres
Danielle Martin
Jeremy Merkel
Stephanie Miske
Rebecca Nettie
Hannah Pipkorn
Rachel Plate
Andrea Rawski
John Reinke
Kayleigh Rucktenwald
Caroline Saucier
Ralph Schroeder
Caela St. Patrick
Henry Yandrasits

upcoming Events
You’re Invited!
85th Anniversary
celebration &
Gardens Luncheon
Join team cchD at the 3rd Annual
walk4hearing!
Hopefully the weather will be
more cooperative this year for
the Milwaukee Walk4Hearing
which will take place on Saturday, June 9 at Veterans Park on
Milwaukee’s beautiful Lakefront. Sponsored by the Hearing
Loss Association of America, the Milwaukee Walk4Hearing is
just one of several walks that take place throughout the country
each year to help raise awareness of hearing loss issues and
raise money for national HLAA advocacy efforts as well as for
local hearing-related non-profits such as CCHD. As a result
of the previous two walks, CCHD raised more than $7,000
for its programs thanks to those who walked as part of Team
CCHD or who designated CCHD as the beneficiary of their
team’s fundraising efforts.
For 2012, co-captains Kerry Malak and Staci Staffaroni are
hoping to make Team CCHD bigger and stronger than ever,
and are counting on your support to help beat our previous
fundraising goals. So, mark your calendars for Saturday, June 9
and join us as we walk 3.1 miles in the Milwaukee Walk4Hearing.
You can register today and join Team CCHD at http://hlaa.
convio.net/goto/CCHD and don’t forget to invite others to the
Join us as we usher in spring and celebrate
85 years of service to the community on
May 10 at the Woman’s Club of Wisconsin!
Let guest speaker and gardening expert
Melinda Myers help you discover yearround
magic with container gardens! No
matter the size of your patio or yard, you
can create an intimate outdoor living and
entertainment space featuring edibles and
container plants with year-round interest.
Also, special guest Craig Culver,
CEO and Co-Founder of Culver’s
Restaurants, will be presented with
the CCHD Community Innovation
Award for his ongoing commitment to
community service and philanthropy,
and for his leadership in advancing
technology to improve accessibility
for individuals with disabilities.
All proceeds from this event benefit
cEntEr for communIcAtIon, hEArInG & DEAfnESS | Spring 2012 | PAGE 6
CCHD’s Kellogg Child and Family
program, which provides critical language
and early literacy services to children who
are deaf or hard of hearing, so they can
succeed in school and in life.
tickets are on sale now at www.cchdwi.org
or by calling 414-604-2200. Sign language
interpreting and real-time captioning will
be provided.
Date: Thursday, May 10
time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (includes
optional 30 minutes of Q&A with Melinda)
Location: The Woman’s Club of
Wisconsin, 813 East Kilbourn Ave.,
Milwaukee
tickets: $65 each. Corporate tables
and sponsorships are available. Call
414-604-7230 for details.
cause too. Let’s show Wisconsin how many of us have friends
and loved ones whose lives have been impacted by hearing loss
and raise awareness of this important issue in our community!
what: Milwaukee Walk4Hearing
where: Veterans Park, Milwaukee
when: Registration begins at 9:30 AM
Distance: 3.1 miles
cost: No registration fee, but a $20 donation per person
is suggested
for more Information: hlaa.convio.net/goto/CCHD

Ask the Audiologist Your questions answered by Community Audiology services
my wife keeps insisting that I have
a hearing problem, but I think my
hearing’s just fine, and only have
trouble understanding her because
she often mumbles when she talks.
Is it really possible that I could have a
hearing loss and not even realize it?
When it comes to hearing loss, it’s true that sometimes the
person with hearing loss is the last to know. The reason is
that hearing loss can occur gradually over long periods of
time. People tend to adjust to this by turning up the volume
on the TV or their cellphone, relying on visual cues and
lipreading more during one-on-one conversations, or they
may simply forget about sounds that they used to be able
to hear, such as the refrigerator running or birds chirping
outside their window. The fact is that unless you have your
hearing tested regularly by an audiologist, you may not
be able to detect your hearing loss until it becomes more
pronounced. And at that point, hearing loss may be more
difficult to manage, and may have already put a strain on
your relationships with others.
So, don’t wait for a loved one to finally tell you that you
have a hearing loss! Be proactive and incorporate hearing
testing into your normal healthcare routine. Good hearing
health is important to your overall health too, and many
studies have shown that the use of hearing aids is associated
with improvements in the social, emotional, psychological
and physical well-being of individuals with hearing loss.
Because mild hearing loss can often be hard to detect on your
www.cchdwi.org | Spring 2012 | PAGE 7
own, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
(ASHA) recommends a hearing screening every 10 years
up to the age of 50, and every 3 years for individuals who
are 50 and older. The good news is that hearing tests are
usually covered by insurance and Medicare.
not sure if you or a loved one is experiencing
hearing difficulties? here are some of the most
common signs of hearing loss to pay attention to:
• frequently asking people to repeat themselves
• regularly misunderstanding or responding
inappropriately to what someone has said
• noticing that people’s voices sound unclear
and muffled – like they are mumbling
• Being able to understand people better when
you wear your glasses or are looking directly
at them as they speak
• Difficulty following conversations in groups or
when there is background noise
• needing to turn up the volume of the tV or
radio so loud that others comment on the
noise level
• Experiencing pain or ringing in your ears
• Being able to hear, but having trouble
understanding what is being said
If you think you might have a hearing problem, call
414-541-HEAR (4327) to schedule a comprehensive hearing
evaluation with one of the caring experts at Community
Audiology Services. These professionals can determine if
you have a hearing loss, and will discuss the latest technology
options available to meet your listening needs so you never
have to worry about missing out on all the sounds you love
to hear.

CENTER for
COMMUNICATION
HEARING &
DEAFNESS
cEntEr for communIcAtIon, hEArInG & DEAfnESS
10243 w. nAtIonAL CENTER AVE. for
wESt ALLIS, wI 53227-2028 COMMUNICATION
HEARING &
the center for communication, DEAFNESS hearing & Deafness
is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is
to help infants, children and adults reach their
fullest potential by eliminating CENTER communication for and
COMMUNICATION
language barriers through HEARING personalized &services,
technology and education. DEAFNESS
contact us
Phone:
414-604-2200 (V)
414-604-7217 (ttY)
866-954-9435 (VP)
Email:
info@cchdwi.org
Location:
10243 w. national Ave.
west Allis, wI 53227
website:
www.cchdwi.org
twitter:
@cchD_wI
TM
CENTER for
COMMUNICATION
HEARING &
DEAFNESS
mark Your calendars
85th Anniversary celebration & Gardens Luncheon
May 10, 2012 at the Woman’s Club of Wisconsin
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (includes optional 30 min. Q & A)
featuring guest speaker melinda myers and emcee tom Gale.
with special guest craig culver, recipient of the cchD community Innovation Award.
2012 walk 4 hearing
June 9, 2012 at Veterans Park in Milwaukee
Join team cchD and help us raise awareness of hearing loss in our community.
to register, visit: http://hlaa.convio.net/goto/cchD
corks & Kegs
July 26, 2012 at 234 W. Florida st., Milwaukee
Beer and wine tasting fundraiser to support language and literacy programs at the center.
family Learning Vacation
August 24 – 26, 2012 at the Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt, WI
An educational and fun-filled weekend for children with hearing loss from across wisconsin
and their families.
cEntEr for communIcAtIon, hEArInG & DEAfnESS | Spring 2012 | PAGE 8
NONPROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
MILWAUKEE, WI
PERMIT NO. 2273
united Way
of Greater Milwauke