Living Between Sound and Silence: The Experience of Uncorrectable Hearing Loss
In August, I met with Matt Goncalves, Sr. Marketing Director of Innocaption, to discuss their services for people with hearing loss. Their technology is a game-changer for so many people across the world.
A week later, I had the opportunity to Zoom with Janine Katomski, the President of Hearing Loss Association of America – Eastern Connecticut Chapter. We used Closed Captions on Zoom and then decided to meet in person to talk more. Her monthly meetings at UConn Storrs, check out her Sept. newsletter on their website.
I went to her house on Friday afternoon to better understand her experience as someone who has suffered from hearing loss as a baby due to antibiotics damaging her auditory nerve. If you would like to read more about this, a great article by NIH can be found by clicking here.
She described in our first meeting, “Hearing loss is often misunderstood. When people think of it, they may imagine complete deafness or someone simply needing a hearing aid. However, for many, hearing loss exists in a quieter, more complex realm, especially for those with permanent and uncorrectable hearing loss resulting from nerve damage or other causes. These individuals are not deaf, yet they have a partial hearing loss. They may not use hearing aids, either because they don’t help or aren’t an option. And that reality can be deeply isolating.”
A Full Belly, A Full Heart, and a Greater Purpose
By Friday night, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning.
It’s hard to describe the joy that comes from meeting so many like-minded people who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to supporting others, especially those living with disabilities. Every day, I wake up with a sense of purpose and a heart full of gratitude. I am constantly reminded that there are people who care deeply about making the world a better place, and I feel so blessed to be building these incredible connections.
Friday morning, I attended the Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing Advocacy Board meeting, Friday afternoon, I taught our Monthly Tech Talk/AI, and then visited with Janine. I found myself leaving her home around 7:45 pm, a full day of learning for her and me. She’s eager to learn how to use technology to grow her organization, and she’s full of energy and passion. Like many of us, she finds website building to be tricky, so we spent the evening working side by side to navigate edits and updates.
In return, she offered me the gift of her own talents; she cooked a delicious gluten-free chicken and vegetable stir-fry, made with love, followed by fresh berries and homemade whipped cream. Over dinner, she shared with me her extensive career as a chef in a hospital, her experiences with discrimination throughout her life, and her desire to help others who may be struggling. After a long day, I went home with not just a full belly, but a full heart.
While teaching our Monthly Tech Talk on AI (Artificial Intelligence), we welcomed both brand-new learners and a few with more experience. Some didn’t know what AI stood for when they walked in the door, but by the end of class, they were confidently talking about practicing with tools like Google Gemini and Copilot. That’s the kind of transformation that lights me up, empowering people to walk away with knowledge they can use to better connect with their families, friends, and communities.
Join us for our Hybrid Discussion: Be Hard-of-Hearing Aware: Community Event on Sept. 29th, from 1-2:30pm
Why This Matters
When people struggle to hear, everyday life becomes difficult. Misunderstandings with loved ones, workplace frustrations, and the inability to fully participate in social settings all contribute to a sense of exclusion. Studies have linked untreated hearing loss to social withdrawal, depression, and even cognitive decline.
UR Community Tech Center Volunteer Impact
At UR Community Tech Center, we also help people with practical needs, like setting up a new phone. What may seem like a small task to some can actually feel overwhelming when there are dozens of steps involved, and when budgets are tight, the pressure to choose the right device is real. That’s why the work of our amazing volunteers, like Donna, is so valuable. She’s been incredible at guiding people through these decisions, and the smiles of gratitude, like Maggie’s, make it all worthwhile.
This is the work that fills me with joy. I hope you love your job as much as I do, because I truly feel this is my calling. Even during my years as a physical therapist, I knew there was a greater need for connection. Now, through the work we’re doing at UR Community Cares, we’re not just teaching skills, we’re weaving together people, organizations, and communities. And every single time, I fall more in love with the outcome.
I love meeting new friends,
Michelle Puzzo, Executive Director
860-430-4557
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