UF clinic offers free hearing loss, lip-reading classes

August 19, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Speech and Hearing Clinic and the Gainesville chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of Florida will offer “Living with Hearing Loss,” a series of free classes for people with hearing impairment.

Hearing loss affects 36 million Americans and although the majority of people with hearing loss could be successfully treated with hearing aids, only 22 percent of these people currently use them, said Patricia B. Kricos, a professor in the College of Public Health and Health Professions’ department of speech, language and hearing sciences.

The education series includes four free classes: “Coping with Hearing Loss,” “A Thousand Ways to Say ‘Huh,’” “Handling Difficult Listening Situations,” and “What Other Help is There?” Classes are held on Fridays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the United Way of North Central Florida office, 6031 NW 1st Place.

Session 1 of the four-part class series is Sept. 2, Sept. 9, Sept. 16 and Sept. 23. Session 2 will be held on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7, Oct. 14 and Oct. 28. Participants are encouraged to bring family and friends to the classes, but space is limited.

The UF clinic will also offer an eight-week lip-reading course. The free series is designed to help people with hearing loss gain confidence communicating with others in difficult listening situations. The classes will be held on Fridays beginning Sept. 2 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the United Way of North Central Florida office, 6031 NW 1st Place.

Please call 352-294-5151 or email mmccaghren@phhp.ufl.edu to register for any of the “Living with Hearing Loss” classes or the lip-reading course.