News & Events

3rd Annual Family Fun Run
Thank you to everyone who supported HSDC's 3rd Annual Leaping for Literacy! event. Together we raised over $22,000 for children with special needs.

Behnke Preschool Summer Camp
A unique summer camp with an emphasis on pre-literacy skills & literacy appreciation. July 5th to August 4th (Monday-Thursday, mornings & afternoons). Ages 2 to 5. Competitive tuition. Info at behnkepreschool.com.
Connect News
Connect is the quarterly eNews of the Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center. You can subscribe to Connect by providing an email address (publications@hsdc.org / contact). You may also enquire about advertising.
- Read the latest edition - May 2011
Emergency Information
HSDC has been selected as the point of contact by Seattle King County Public Health (SKCPH) to forward emergency information to Deaf, Deaf-Blind and hard of hearing people. Organizations serving these populations in King County and the surrounding areas, as well as individuals, can join this database by providing an email address.
- Subscribe to emergency info (emergency@hsdc.org / contact)
- Learn more about Seattle/King County Public Health
News Archive
Connect News Archive
- View Connect News, May 2011
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- View Connect News, Winter 2009-2010
- View Connect News, Aug-Sep 2009
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- View Connect News, Fall 2008
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- View Connect News, Spring 2008
- View Connect News, Fall 2007
- View Connect News, Late Summer 2007
- View Connect News, Early Summer 2007
- View Connect News, March 2007
News Story Archive
- CEO Susie Burdick Discusses The Shared Services Coalition with the Puget Sound Business Journal
- Introduction to HSDC's Strategic Initiatives Model Project (SIMP) by CEO Susie Burdick
- HSDC Language to Literacy Luncheon a Success
- Remembering Mary Martone
- Seattle Mayor Nickels Holds First Emergency Press Conference with Interpreter for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
- Susie Burdick, CEO, Elected Chair of the National Association of Speech & Hearing Centers (NASHC)
- Digital Televisions and Hearing Loss
- HSDC & United Way of King County Team Up for Taxes
- National Protect Your Hearing Month
- Success, Laughter and Learning at HSDC's Language to Literacy Luncheon
- Make the Dash Count Foundation awards $5,000 to HSDC
- Annual "Wake Up!" Breakfast a Wonderful Success
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Supports Early Learning at HSDC
- HSDC Honored With Governor's Award
- Paul G. Allen Family Foundation Supports New Literacy Lab at HSDC
- Hearing Loss May Mean Income Loss
- Wake Up! Event Featuring William H. Gates Sr. a Huge Success
- Bellingham Office Offers Free Sign Language Classes on Tuesdays

Baby Boomers & Hearing Health
A new generation facing hearing loss also has new options. According to a new survey by the Better Hearing Institute, as many as one in two Americans over the age of 50 has a hearing loss. A six-year study by the House Ear Institute found that Baby Boomers in particular may be contributing to an increase in early hearing loss due to their excessive exposure to loud rock music.
HSDC recently sent an audiologist to join leading hearing care professionals from across the United States at a conference on Baby Boomers and hearing loss in Copenhagen, Denmark. The conference explored attitudes and issues surrounding hearing loss among this new generation, and looked at the latest high tech hearing solutions designed with tech-savvy, style conscious Baby Boomers in mind.
Many people in the 40-plus generation resist addressing hearing loss, often waiting until the hearing loss is seriously affecting their quality of life. For Baby Boomers who expect to continue working or plan to stay socially active, untreated hearing loss negatively impacts work situations and relationships and can drastically affect future employment prospects. But now, new hearing devices are changing the perception of what it means to have a hearing loss. HSDC's audiology staff are among the first hearing care professionals to learn about the new Oticon Delta, a revolutionary design in hearing devices that looks more like a high tech fashion accessory than a hearing instrument.
"This is definitely a refreshing change in hearing aid options, combining cosmetics, comfort and performance" explained one audiologist. "Oticon Delta doesn't look at all like a traditional hearing aid. It has a fashionable, high tech appearance and a streamlined shape, make it comfortable and discreet. Best of all, this trendy hearing device houses a state-of-the art computer sound processing technology, so it can give a significant improvement in speech comprehension even in noisy listening situations."
"Our goal is for people to stay active and in touch with their families and their surroundings - and the right hearing aid helps many realize that goal."
- Learn more about Audiology & Hearing Aids

HSDC Employee Awarded the James C. Marsters' Promotion Award
Donna Platt, M.S., advocate for disaster preparedness in Washington State, received national recognition when she was awarded the James C. Marsters Promotion Award by Telecommunications for the Deaf. This prestigious award was given in recognition of her outstanding efforts to promote access to and involvement in emergency preparedness activities by Deaf and hard of hearing people in the state of Washington. Donna developed guidelines for service providers working with Deaf, Deaf-Blind, hard of hearing, and speech challenged clients on 9-1-1 services and compiled a workbook for a telecommunications cultural training program offered for credit by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. She also developed a "TTY User's Guide to 9-1-1" booklet which was also translated to large print, Braille, and Spanish.
- Learn more about Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services

