Most people know that hearing aids help those with hearing loss in their ability to hear and communicate with others. But a common misconception is that hearing aids restore one’s hearing to 100 percent.

While they are able to amplify sounds and increase one’s ability to listen, these aids are not a “cure” for hearing loss. In fact, there are many situations in which a hearing aid alone is not sufficient. This is where FM systems become beneficial.

FM systems empower hearing aid wearers to hear more clearly, particularly in situations where background noise is present. Everyone deserves the opportunity to communicate clearly with the world around them, and FM systems are helping bring that opportunity to more people with hearing loss.

And thanks to a generous donation from The Hearing Improvement Kids Empowerment (HIKE) Fund, 3-year-old Kayleigh Kennedy is now among the benefactors. Kayleigh, who receives audiology and listening and spoken language services from The Children’s Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), was awarded a grant from The HIKE Fund for $2400, which will help cover the cost of her own personal FM system.

[penci_blockquote style=”style-2″ align=”left” author=”Dr. Courtney Turner”]“We are so grateful for The HIKE Fund and the work they do to make hearing devices more accessible to those who need them,”[/penci_blockquote]“We are so grateful for The HIKE Fund and the work they do to make hearing devices more accessible to those who need them,” said Dr. Courtney Turner, audiologist at The Children’s Center. “There is wonderful technology out there that can help children better hear and communicate with their friends, family, therapists, and teachers. And The Hike Fund is helping bring that technology to more children with hearing loss.”

About The Children’s Center for Communication and Development

The Children’s Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi is a non-profit that provides cost-free communicative and developmental transdisciplinary services to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers while educating, training and supporting families, university students and professionals. For more information, visit www.usm.edu/childrenscenter.

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites in central and southern Mississippi, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 130 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and sport venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 40 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of approximately 15,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 36 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 24 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit usm.edu.

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