02/16/23 local

By FHSU University Communications

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

Since the fall of 2016, more than 1,000 people at 30-plus events have received hearing screenings thanks to a grant from the Kansas Masonic Foundation. The Hill City screening will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24, at the Graham County Hospital, 304 W. Prout St. It is sponsored by the Hill City Millbrook Masonic Lodge, #281.

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 and other items 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.”

Four graduate students from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders will provide the screenings. The students will gain important clinical hours for this service, while the community will benefit from the opportunity to have their hearing screened free of charge. All ages are welcome.

Another free screening event will be offered on March 24 in Great Bend, Kan.

To schedule an appointment for the Hill City screening, contact Alex Leslie at 785-627-6069 or the FHSU Herndon Clinic at 785-628-5366.

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