10/03/22

HAYS, Kan. – Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate students will travel to Hoxie, Kansas, to offer free community hearing screenings. The screenings will be under the supervision of an FHSU Herndon Clinic instructor.

This event will mark the sixth year of community screenings. It will be hosted by the Hoxie Masonic Lodge #348 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 14th, at the Sheridan County Health Office, 940 8^th St., Hoxie, Kansas.

Sponsored by a generous grant from the Kansas Masonic Foundation, the program offers numerous opportunities for western Kansas residents of all ages to receive important health screening services that are currently scarce or difficult to access.

Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins will be welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site will have four stations, each screening lasting approximately 15 minutes. Information about hearing loss and follow-up services will be shared during the screenings.

Participants will receive hearing screening results, free hearing protection earplugs, referral information if needed, and helpful handouts related to hearing loss such as tinnitus, hearing in noise, protecting residual hearing, and hearing aids. Hearing aids will not be for sale at the screening.

 “The partnership between the FHSU Communication Sciences and Disorders Herndon Clinic and Kansas Masons is a win-win opportunity as we are helping many communities have easy access to an important free service yet also simultaneously gaining valuable clinical experiences for our students,” said Marcy Beougher, speech-language pathologist and an instructor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. “We are grateful to the Kansas Masons for their support of this quality program.”

One more Masonic hearing screening event will be scheduled this semester. On Nov. 4, students will travel to Scott City. In the spring semester of 2023, screening events will be in three communities. 

To schedule an appointment for the Hoxie screening, contact Gary Shipley 785-675-8586, or Mac Mayfield 720-384-7866.

For more information, visit fhsu.edu/herndon-clinic/ or contact the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at 785-628-5366.