Meet the presenter:

Carol Hamer has been the audiologist at HKNC since 2002, a role that she thoroughly enjoys.  Being able to work with individuals from vastly different backgrounds, with all different modes of communication is both exciting and enriching to her.  Carol visited HKNC as a graduate student in audiology in 1984.  She was impressed with the program and was thrilled when the position of audiologist opened up in 2002 at which time Carol happily jumped at the opportunity.  She likes the
multi-disciplinary approach at HKNC and finds it valuable to be able to see how individuals use their hearing in all of the different departments, be it joining a mobility lesson on Main Street or a technology lesson, in person or via video conferencing. Carol believes that educating consumers about how unique their hearing needs are, as DeafBlind individuals who use their residual hearing, is an important part of the process so they can better advocate for themselves. She also appreciates being able to spend time with consumers taking them through the audiologic evaluation, discussion of their hearing loss and evaluation with hearing aids and assistive listening devices, when appropriate. During this month when we celebrate Audiology Awareness it is important to remember the need for protecting our hearing and to go for annual hearing evaluations.  Even a mild hearing loss is shown to impact cognitive awareness and hearing health is so important for mental health for those who use their residual hearing.