Hear Indiana was founded in 1971. It was established to create equal opportunities for children with hearing loss through Listening and Spoken Language.
https://www.hearindiana.org/donate/ (https://www.hearindiana.org/donate/)
This episode from Amplified by Hear Indiana reflect on a year of providing specialized audiology and speech services to the deaf and hard of hearing community. The organization recently completed a significant clinic expansion that doubled their treatment space and added state-of-the-art sound booths designed for patient comfort and efficiency. Looking toward 2026, the non-profit plans to broaden its impact by launching adult services, which will help fund their primary pediatric mission. While the organization has successfully reduced its annual operating deficit, they are actively seeking donations to close a remaining funding gap. Future podcast episodes aim to feature firsthand stories from families and insights from partner organizations to highlight the collaborative nature of hearing healthcare in Indiana.
21 Dec 2025
Accommodations w/ Dana Feiner
http://hearindiana.org/donate (http://hearindiana.org/donate)
This podcast episode from Amplified by Hear Indiana features a discussion between host Britton Johnson and a teacher of the deaf Dana Feiner regarding accessibility and accommodations for the deaf and hard of hearing community. They emphasize that "planned seating" is a dynamic necessity rather than a fixed front-row requirement, as students need specialized positioning to optimize auditory clarity and visual cues. The conversation highlights various support tools, including remote microphone systems, closed captioning, and real-time translation services like CART to bridge communication gaps in both classrooms and social settings.
14 Nov 2025
Comprehensive language and speech evaluations w/ Kelly - Episode 11
This episode of "Amplified," produced by Hear Indiana, featuring board member Britton Johnson and guest Kelly Hultman, a speech-language pathologist and parent of a child with hearing loss. The conversation centers on listening and spoken language (LSL) support for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, particularly focusing on speech and language assessments. Key topics discussed include the types of hearing loss (sensory neural, conductive, and mixed), the importance of early intervention and consistent hearing aid use, and the specifics of the free, comprehensive language and speech evaluations offered by Hear Indiana to track progress and inform individualized education plans (IEPs).
31 Oct 2025
Parent Coaching w/Kristin and Dana
This episode features a discussion on parent coaching as a vital component of listening and spoken language sessions, emphasizing that parents are the child's most crucial teacher given they spend significantly more time with the child than professionals. Guests Dana Feiner and Kristin Schaaf discuss their professional backgrounds, the importance of a strength-based approach when coaching parents, and the need to meet families where they are, accounting for factors such as home language, cultural differences, and diverse learning styles. The hosts and guests also share resources and encouraging final thoughts for families navigating this journey.Resources:
https://www.hearingfirst.org/
24 Oct 2025
Audiology, Wear Time, and Child Development w/ Lauren Gowdy
In this episode of Amplified by Hear Indiana, host Britton Johnson speaks with audiologist Lauren Gowdy about the vital role Hear Indiana plays in supporting the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Gowdy describes audiology as a unique blend of art and science, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning as technology—especially AI and Bluetooth—rapidly evolves. The discussion explores the rise of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing products and the concern that negative experiences with unverified, self-fitted devices may discourage people from seeking professional care. A key focus of the episode is wear time—the consistent, daily use of hearing devices such as hearing aids or cochlear implants, particularly in children. Gowdy highlights that while many aspects of hearing loss are beyond a parent’s control, ensuring full-time device use (over 10 hours a day for children older than one) is the single most critical factor for a child’s long-term success. Consistent wear during the first three years of life is essential for optimal cognitive, social, and emotional development. Strategies to encourage wear time include creating routines like “eyes open, ears on,” using retention aids such as headbands or toupee tape, and implementing reward systems. For questions about hearing care, parents are encouraged to contact Hear Indiana’s audiology team at audiology@hearindiana.org, especially when unsure whether to reach out to a doctor, ENT, audiologist, or device manufacturer.
17 Oct 2025
Board Member Profile w/Wesley Jones - Episode 8
This episode of Amplified, a podcast by Hear Indiana, profiles board member Wesley Jones. Jones, originally from Indianapolis, holds an accounting degree from IU. His professional background includes working in public accounting in Washington DC, collegiate athletics at IU for nine years (where his passion lies), and currently overseeing the internal audit function for the City of Indianapolis. Jones's prior career path centered on collegiate athletics, where his expertise lies in the operational and administrative sides of sports. He notes that success is not linear, and definitions of success change over time based on life and family needs.Jones joined the Here Indiana board in late 2023 (November/December) and had no prior awareness of the organization. He was sought out for his experience in finances, budgeting, and strategic planning.
10 Oct 2025
Hearing Aid Assistance Program of Indiana (HAAPI) w/ Abbi DeFord - Episode 7
https://haapindiana.org/
This podcast episode of Hear Indiana featuring an interview with Abbi DeFord, a Development Associate and Happi Administrator for the organization. The discussion focuses primarily on the Hearing Aid Assistance Program of Indiana (HAPPI), a state-funded cost-participation program that helps families afford hearing devices for children aged three through high school. Deford explains that HAPPI is administered by Hear Indiana as a third party and details the relatively simple application process, the necessary documentation, and the program's income-based cost participation model, noting that the maximum cost to a family is $500 per device. The conversation also touches on Deford's background in the hearing impairment world, her work in fundraising and event planning for the nonprofit, and the importance of family support and follow-up care provided through the HAPPI program.
3 Oct 2025
Listening and Spoken Language Camp w/Kaleigh Calisto - Episode 6
This week on Amplified, a podcast by Hear Indiana, where host Britton Johnson interviews Kaleigh Calisto, a speech-language pathologist and listening and spoken language specialist. The discussion centers on Calisto’s work with the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, including her professional background and her experience working with various age groups in both in-person and teletherapy settings. A significant portion of the interview is dedicated to Camp Happy Hollow, a summer camp for children with hearing loss that uses a listening and spoken language approach, emphasizing the importance of peer acceptance and social-emotional growth for the campers. Calisto highlights the value of parent coaching in therapy and the successful use of technology, while also noting the challenges of articulation work and listening in noisy environments. Listening and Spoken Language Camp w/Kaleigh Calisto - Episode 6
26 Sept 2025
CEO Profile with Ellyn McCall - Episode 5
The podcast episode of Amplified, hosted by Britton Johnson, features an insightful conversation with Hear Indiana CEO Ellyn McCall, detailing her personal and professional journey driven by the organization's mission to educate the audience on the services and support provided to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in Indiana. McCall explains that her path to leadership was shaped by her son, Seth, who was born a preemie in 2008, confirmed to be profoundly deaf around six weeks old following an auditory brain stem response (ABR) test, and received bilateral cochlear implants at eight months old in early 2009. Recognizing a critical shortage of professionals specializing in listening and spoken language (LSL) to teach children using amplification, McCall shifted her career from general special education, earned a master's degree and Teacher of the Deaf licensure, and began working at Here Indiana (the fifth employee hired), moving through roles such as family and community liaison and clinical director before becoming CEO. Her unique perspective as a parent allowed her to connect with families, assuring them, "I'm never going to ask you to do something that I have not done", and she highlighted two key takeaways from her experience: the importance of maintaining a positive or neutral outlook regarding a child's hearing loss, viewing it as an integral part of them, and the assurance that "it is going to be okay".
19 Sept 2025
Hear It Begins with Lindy Powell - Episode 4
This podcast episode, "Amplified," features a discussion between Britton Johnson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gigabrit/), Ellyn McCall (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellyn-mccall-2a992878/) from Hear Indiana, and Lindy Powell (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindy-powell-5252b45b/) from St. Joseph Hearing and Speech, focusing on supporting families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. They highlight the importance of early intervention and hearing technology, such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, emphasizing that consistent use is crucial for brain development. The episode introduces St. Joseph's "Here It Begins" program, designed to simplify the initial steps for families after a diagnosis, and stresses the creation of a language-rich environment through various strategies and consistent language exposure. Finally, the speakers underscore the value of connecting with other families for mentorship and support, citing various resources offered by both organizations.Links:https://sjhearingspeech.org/what-we-do/hear-it-begins.html (https://sjhearingspeech.org/what-we-do/hear-it-begins.html)
https://hearindiana.org/ (https://hearindiana.org/ )
12 Sept 2025
Jenna Connor Board Member Profile - Episode 3
This podcast episode introduces Jenna Connor, a board member for Hear Indiana, who shares her personal connection to the deaf community through her family history. She discusses the mission of Hear Indiana to educate the public on the services and support available for individuals with hearing loss, highlighting the importance of offering choices to families.
5 Sept 2025
Dana Feiner - Episode 2
This podcast episode from "Amplified" by Hear Indiana features an interview with Dana Feiner, an employee and a Teacher of the Deaf. The discussion centers on the critical role of Teachers of the Deaf in supporting children with hearing loss, particularly in educational settings, and the importance of early intervention and parent coaching. Feiner shares her personal journey into deaf education and explains how Hear Indiana offers various services, including early intervention, school support, reading intervention, and teletherapy, to help these children achieve access to language and educational success. The episode also highlights the challenges and triumphs associated with raising and educating children with hearing loss, emphasizing the need for strong parent-teacher partnerships and advocacy.
29 Aug 2025
Run for Sound - Pilot Episode 1
Run for Sound - Pilot Episode 1
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