Restoring Connection for the Hearing Impaired
For those living with hearing loss, the world can feel muted, like trying to navigate a conversation through a pane of glass. Everyday activities—catching a child’s laughter, following the flow of a meeting, feeling part of a room—can seem just out of reach. However, in Centre County, the William W. and Helen S. Litke Memorial Fund for the Aid and Assistance of the Deaf and Hearing Impaired is quietly reshaping that narrative. With nearly $43,000 in grants distributed across four local organizations, this fund is doing more than providing resources—it’s restoring connections and reframing possibilities.
Centre Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) received $15,000 to expand its Hearing Aid Assistance Program, a lifeline for those for whom the cost of hearing aids feels insurmountable. “Hearing aids are not just devices,” CVIM’s Executive Director Paula Williams explained. “They’re bridges—back to family dinners, workplaces, and communities.” For John, a retired teacher and program beneficiary, that bridge meant hearing his grandchildren’s laughter for the first time in years. “It’s like being handed my life back,” he said.
At The Rivet, Discovery Space’s makerspace, a $15,000 investment is transforming the workshop into a more inclusive space for all makers. New flooring enhances both the acoustics and the overall feel of the environment, ensuring that learning and creativity are accessible to everyone, regardless of hearing ability. Executive Director Michele Crowl, PhD, sees these upgrades as more than just infrastructure. “This is about creating moments where every person can fully engage—whether in a class or collaborating with others in the makerspace,” she said. For Laurie, a member who spends significant time every week in The Rivet, these changes make a world of difference. “Now, there’s a lot less background noise, which makes it much easier to hear the instructors during a class or focus on your own project. The whole space feels quieter and more comfortable, making for a much more enjoyable and productive experience.”
Foxdale Village, a retirement community, is using its $8,284 grant to upgrade the sound systems in its auditorium and meeting rooms, ensuring residents with hearing impairments can rejoin the rhythms of community life. Tama Carey, Chief Executive Officer at Foxdale Village, captured the spirit of the effort, “This isn’t just about technology—it’s about being able to participate instead of sitting on the sidelines”. For Helen, a longtime resident, the changes are personal. “I’ve missed so much over the years. I’m looking forward to being able to hear more clearly again”.
Even the youngest voices are being amplified. The State College Area School District Education Foundation received $4,900 to enrich its Escape Room Adventure program with books authored by and written about the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. “Representation matters,” notes Duane Bullock, Board President. “When students see themselves in the stories they read, it’s a reminder that their voices matter, too.”
The William W. and Helen S. Litke Memorial Fund for the Aid and Assistance of the Deaf and Hearing Impaired achieves impact through more than just a collection of grants —it’s a statement that no one in Centre County should feel left out of the conversation. It’s a declaration, carried quietly in each improved sound system, each fitted hearing aid, and every launched inclusive program, that connection is a right, not a privilege. Or, as Michele Crowl of Discovery Space put it, “Together, we’re creating a community where everyone can hear, connect, and thrive.”
