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March 11, 2008 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM: Parents Met 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Invited Guest Speakers: Panel of Young Adults with Hearing Loss Erika Guarino was most likely born with some hearing loss which was exacerbated over time with countless ear infections. At 16 months, she was diagnosed as profoundly deaf and was fitted with hearing aids. Throughout her childhood, she attended an oral school, a Signed Exact English program, and a Total Communication program and took speech lessons every week until the age of 15. Erika has obtained both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, and holds professional licensure, Erika teaches deaf and hard of hearing students at the high school level in a Total Communication program. In her spare time, she teaches sign language.
Matthew Kelley is a 25 year old graduate student at the University of Massachusetts studying to obtain his doctoral degree in Audiology. Matt was fit with amplification at the age of 3, and has been enthused by hearing aids ever since his parents allowed him to fool around with them. He is an advocate for using today's technology to its highest advantage and continues to search for different ways to adapt his hearing aids to be used with modern devices.
Kristin Britton has been benefiting from Cochlear Implant technology since March of 2005. She was diagnosed at age five with a moderate bilateral hearing loss that was detected at her kindergarten screening. She was immediately fitted with hearing aids and attended the mainstream school setting for all of her elementary and high school years. Kristin obtained her undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders from Emerson College and Master's in Health Administration with a focus in Public Policy from Suffolk University. Due to the consistent progression of her hearing loss, hearing aids offered very little benefit. At the age of 29, Kristin received a cochlear implant in her left ear and has been doing very well ever since. Currently, she is employed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Public Policy Strategist.
Emily Dagle is a 14 year old high school freshman. She was diagnosed with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss at age 3, which is when she was first fit with behind-the-ear style hearing aids. She communicates orally and has received speech therapy through the school system, where she is mainstreamed. Emily has always been very active in sports and is currently involved in the Drama Club where she attends school.
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