News and Stories

Whether it’s the weekend, the holidays or you’re just looking for simple at-home activity to entertain children, this craft activity is a good one to jot down. Hear and Say’s Listening and Spoken Language Specialist, Katie Smith runs the Brisbane LEAP Group Social Skills program, and also holds the important title around the centre as the ‘Queen of Craft’. Check out Katie’s step-by-step guide below for a colourful rainbow craft activity that’s both fun and educational. “There are plenty of learning goals that work well with this activity. As you’re making your rainbow, ...

Year Six student Benjamin is fascinated by all things mechanical and electronic – meaning his high-tech hearing device is a great fit in more ways than one. Diagnosed with profound hearing loss in his right ear, Benjamin now uses a cochlear implant to hear clearly all the time, both at home and in the classroom. “Benjamin’s hearing loss was gradual from four years old. Coupled with his prior diagnosis of autism, it had created significant obstacles to his learning and engagement at school,” said Benjamin’s mum, Julia. After being referred to Hear and Say, Benjamin went ...

With seven months now passed since his cochlear implant was first switched onto sound, two-year-old James has been living life loud. “James loves waking up early every morning and running full pelt around the house, laughing and screaming at the top of his lungs,” said James’s mum, Bianca. “He also loves to play with his toy cars and trucks, and is thrilled when he hears motorbikes or anything loud go by our house.” It was the hospital-based hearing screening that flagged to Bianca and husband, Steven that there was a potential hearing issue in their son’s right ear. A ...

From the bustle of a filmset to watching playbacks in an editing room, young filmmaker Zoe Seitz couldn’t imagine a world without sound. Having graduated from a Bachelor of Film Production in 2016, the 23-year-old currently works as an audio-visual technician and freelance videographer from her home on the Gold Coast – a career she’s aspired to since childhood. “My passion for filmmaking initially came from watching a variety of TV shows and films growing up,” Zoe said. “In addition to my current jobs, hopefully this year I will also get to work on my first big-scale film ...

It’s been only five years since 27-year-old, Nick graduated with his degree in industrial design, but it’s a career that has already seen him across projects ranging from designing padding for indoor trampoline centres and truck interiors, through to his current role with a world-leading aluminium company working with window and door elements. The new year ahead will see Nick apply his design skills a little closer to home, having recently purchased his first house – a “real fixer-upper” – together with his fiancée, Kirsten. Renovation sites and design warehouses are ...

He’s not even three years old, and already Max knows the power of a good story. “Max loves dinosaurs, trucks and playing outside, but his favourite thing to do is read books,” said Max’s mum, Kerri. “I often find him going through books from his bookstand, or bringing a book to anyone who will read to him. His current favourites are, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and Three Billy Goats Gruff.” Reading stories together also plays an important role in Max’s listening and spoken language therapy at Hear and Say, specialised speech therapy targeted at supporting the ...

In a year full of challenges, 2020 ended on a high note for nine-year-old, Grace. The Year 3 student was awarded her primary school’s Chairperson’s Award, recognising her impressive academic achievements and progress across all school subjects throughout the past 12 months. Proud grandmother, Margaret noted that it was a very exciting acknowledgement of Grace’s diligence and hard work, and a shining demonstration of a young person living life unlimited by their hearing loss. Born profoundly deaf in both ears, Grace uses two cochlear implants to hear – as do two of her older ...