What we do!

The recent lipreading concepts class gave me a set of tools for receiving spoken information. No single approach to communication works all the time so having the lipreading concepts tools and the instructors’ encouragement to keep trying was most helpful. They provided great memorable examples and resources that will remind us that there are often other approaches to understand more of the words others say.

For example, anticipation is such a good approach to reduce the number of possible things that are said, so something as simple as getting an agenda for a meeting I need to attend makes it easier to fill in words I miss. A speaker might say “nitrate” or “night rate” but the context makes one more likely.

Hearing Loss Live!, Chelle, and Julia, have become a warm environment for me to learn about hearing loss. I have learned so much about standing up for myself. I have also had a great time learning lip shapes. It is made to be fun and very welcoming even when we are not having an easy time of it. I came upon Hearing Loss Live via the internet. I feel blessed to have found them and the community of people who understand what having a hearing loss is like. Anyone who is wanting to learn more, share, and become more proficient at lipreading….this is the place to get involved. Classes are done virtually which makes it easy for me.  

I signed up for “Hearing Loss: Improve Your Communication” and the very first week I knew I had made a great choice. My spouse definitely has a big hearing loss which has limited his willingness to participate in common everyday life. In  Chelle’s class, I learned I will never change my husband’s hearing problem nor will I change the way he deals with it.  But I, as a hearing person, learned more about what it is like to be a non-hearing person.  Being with the other non-hearing class members and with Chelle opened my eyes and ears and I have become more understanding.  I can now practice each day, small necessary steps to improve our communication.  I no longer talk to my husband unless I am facing him so he can see me speaking.  At least I no longer expect him to hear and understand me when I do speak to him from a different room.I know that I have become a more kind and understanding person because of the things I learned in these two classes.  THANKS Chelle!

Chelle teaches live classes at the University of Utah Osher Continuing Education program)

I highly recommend Chelle Wyatt. She is a passionate professional who managed the Hard of Hearing program at the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR). Chelle grew the program during her time as the manager including transitioning many classes to a virtual environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. She expanded workshops and educational opportunities statewide and increased the number of people accessing our services. As a person with hearing loss, Chelle understands the needs of individuals experiencing the same. She is knowledgeable about successful strategies, technology and accommodations that improve the lives of people with hearing loss.