Hearing/Speech Impairment Resources
Approximately one-third of Americans between 65 - 74 experience hearing problems, and about one-half the people 85 and older incur hearing loss. Hearing loss is the most common sensory impairment in adults over age 65, and it frequently goes unnoticed. Hearing loss not only affects the physical sense of hearing, it affects overall well-being. Hearing is important for personal safety and overall health. Consult your doctor immediately if you notice a change in your hearing! Depending on the type and extent of your hearing loss, there are many options available for help. Hearing loss does not have to get in the way of your ability to enjoy life!
Signs of hearing loss may include (contact your doctor if you have any of these):
- Trouble hearing over the telephone
- Difficulty following conversations
- Need to turn up TV or radio so loud that others complain
- Have problem hearing because of background noise
- Sense that others seem to mumble
- Speak louder than necessary
- Constantly ask for words to be repeated
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears
- Straining to hear
Ability 1st
Phone: 575-9621
TTY: 576-5245
Website: www.ability1st.info
Eligibility: Any disabled individual and friends or family of the disabled.
Fees: None
Provides variety of skills including independent living skills training, information & referral for community training, and accessibility services.
Florida Association of the Deaf
Website: www.fadcentral.org
Eligibility: Florida residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, and late-deafened.
Fees: Membership fee
Promotes deaf, hard of hearing, and late deafened Floridians to interact with each other as well as with the hearing community, legislature and agencies and organizations serving deaf, hard of hearing, and late deafened citizens.
Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Phone: 245-4913
TTY: 245-4914
Website: www.fccdhh.org
Eligibility: Florida residents that are deaf, hard or hearing or late deafened.
Fees: None
Serving the estimated three million residents of Florida who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, or deaf/blind as an advisory and coordinating body which recommends policies that address the needs and methods to improve the coordination of services among public and private entities and to provide technical assistance, advocacy, and education.
Florida Relay Service
Phone: 711 voice or TTY
Website: www.ftri.org
Eligibility: Any individuals who are hard of hearing, deaf, deaf/blind, or speech disabled as well as people who wish to communicate with them over the phone.
Fees: None
The communications link between people who use specialized telephones to communicate and people who use standard telephones to communicate. There is no cost to use the service and it is available 24/7.
Florida Laryngectomee Association
Website: www.f-l-a.org
Eligibility: Florida residents with laryngectomy and speech disability.
Fees: None
Encourage and maintain an exchange of ideas for the learning and teaching of alternative methods of communication with both laryngectomees and speech & language professionals.
Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-222-3448
TTY: 1-888-447-5620
Website: www.ftri.org
Eligibility: Florida residents who have a certified hearing loss or speech impairment.
Fees: None, all equipment loaned free of charge.
Distributes telephone equipment to qualified applicants who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired, or deaf/blind.
Hearing Loss Association of Florida
Website: www.hla-fl.com
Eligibility: Florida residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, or late-deafened.
Serves the needs of all people with hearing loss throughout the state of Florida, by providing information and educational support, public awareness and both legislative and public policy advocacy of issues related to assuring equal access, opportunity and protection for the quality of life of individuals with hearing loss.
Hearing Screenings
The Tallahassee Senior Center offers hearing screenings monthly at no charge. For more information, call 891-4000 or refer to the Health Happenings section.