Hearing Loss, Hearing Loop

Juliette Sterkens, a renowned audiologist with expertise in hearing loop installation, will lead a free, public information session about hearing loops, hearing aids and other listening technologies at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, in Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center.

At the information session, Sterkens will discuss:

• how we hear,
• what happens when people lose their hearing,
• how hearing people can better interact with those who are hard of hearing, and
• how hearing aids, T-Coils and hearing loops work.

In addition, she will answer frequently asked questions about hearing aids and hearing loops, including why people with hearing loss say that they can hear, but do not understand what they are hearing.

The session will be useful for anyone who is experiencing hearing loss or anyone who serves the public. Those in attendance, both the hearing and hard-of-hearing, will be have the opportunity to use demonstration equipment to listen through the loop in Rosenfield Center Room 101.

Sterkens is a Wisconsin-based audiologist and a national advocate for hearing loop installation. She has received numerous honors, including the American Academy of Audiology Presidential Award, and was named Wisconsin Audiologist of the Year in 2011.

She also is co-owner and founder of Fox Valley Hearing Loop LLC, which has installed more than 50 hearing loops across the Midwest. Now retired from private practice and loop installation, Sterkens is a national hearing group advocate for the Hearing Loss Association of America. In this role, she collaborates with volunteers to increase awareness about hearing loss and the need for an increase in the use of hearing loops to improve hearing accessibility.

Grinnell welcomes and encourages the participation of people with disabilities. The Rosenfield has accessible parking in the lot on the east side of the building. Accommodation requests may be made to Conference Operations.