HEAR Wisconsin

06/01/2026

💚 June is CMV Awareness Month 💚

Many people have never heard of Cytomegalovirus (CMV), even though it is one of the most common viruses people encounter in their lifetime. Most individuals are exposed at some point without realizing it because symptoms are usually mild or not noticeable. Once CMV enters the body, it stays for life.

During pregnancy, CMV becomes more concerning. It is the most common infection passed from a mother to her unborn baby in the United States, with about 1 in 200 babies born with Congenital CMV (cCMV). This infection can lead to a variety of health issues.

One of the most significant effects of cCMV involves hearing health. Congenital CMV is the leading non-genetic cause of childhood hearing loss, affecting the inner ear and auditory system. Some babies show hearing differences at birth, while others develop hearing loss later in childhood.

Around 1 in 10 babies born with cCMV show signs of infection at birth. Among those who appear healthy early on, another 10 percent may later develop issues related to the infection. The most common long term concern is hearing loss.

Many families only learn about cCMV after it impacts their child. Look out for our next post where we’ll share prevention tips and simple ways to reduce the risk.

05/19/2026

Calling all book lovers! 📚✨

Deaf author Anna Sortino, known for her hit young adult novel Give Me a Sign, will be at Well Red Damsel in Wauwatosa on May 21 for an author talk, a lively Q&A, a meet-and-greet, and a book signing to wrap up the night!

🕒 Event Schedule
• 6:00 PM – Doors open
• 6:30–7:00 PM – Author discussion
• 7:00–7:15 PM – Audience Q&A
• 7:15–8:00 PM – Meet & greet + signing

🎟 Tickets (Required for entry) (~$25) include a signed copy of Stops Along the Way
🤟 ASL interpretation provided throughout the event
📍 Well Red Damsel Bookstore, 6429 W North Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53213

To buy tickets visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/qa-and-signing-with-author-anna-sortino-tickets-1986863453073?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/18/2026

It's National Speech‑Language Pathologist Day! ✨️ 🧡

Today we’re recognizing our incredible SLPs who work every day to help children and families communicate with confidence. Whether supporting little ones in early intervention, working closely with families, or providing care across our programs, your dedication makes a real difference.

Thank you for your compassion, your expertise, and the countless hours you pour into helping our community connect and thrive. We’re so grateful for everything you do. 🧡

05/13/2026

Emily’s story shows just how impactful a single hearing screening can be. Our Mobile Audiology Clinic identified her hearing loss at last year’s Spring Games, and she’s now thriving with hearing aids.
She’s a perfect example of why early detection matters.
We’re proud to partner with Special Olympics Wisconsin to ensure athletes have clear hearing and strong communication on and off the field.
Read Emily’s full story: https://bit.ly/42vxlss

05/04/2026

🚍️

MAC stopped by Badger State Ethanol in Monroe to provide on‑site hearing tests for their employees as part of their ongoing commitment to workplace safety and hearing conservation. We value partners who invest in long‑term hearing health and create environments where employees can thrive.

Noise exposure is a daily reality in many industrial settings, and regular hearing tests help ensure workers stay protected and informed. We’re proud to support companies that take proactive steps to maintain a safe work environment.

04/30/2026

Looking for something fun to do this Saturday with your kids? 🌟

Head to the Milwaukee Art Museum on Saturday, May 2, for ASL Storytime in the Galleries. Storyteller Athena Cifax, a CODA (child of Deaf adults), brings her lived experience navigating Deaf and hearing worlds into her storytelling with sign language, creating an engaging and inclusive experience for young audiences. Families will explore the galleries together, and kids can make a drawing inspired by the story and artwork.

📅 May 2, 2026
🕥 10:30–11:00 a.m.
📍 Windhover Hall

🎟 Admission Info
• Kids 12 and under are free
• Wisconsin K–12 educators are free
• Member Swap Weekend: Free with a Betty Brinn or Public Museum membership
• Many local libraries offer free passes

Tickets are available at the door or online.

For more information, visit: https://mam.org/events/event/story-time-sign-language/2026-05-02/



Photo courtesy of Front Room Studios

04/24/2026

What an amazing weekend at the Special Olympics Wisconsin State Spring Games! 🧡

On Saturday, April 18, our Mobile Audiology Clinic (MAC) was on-site in Oshkosh, providing hearing health support to participants throughout the event. Special Olympics Wisconsin offers year-round sports opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving participants the chance to stay active, build confidence, learn new skills, and connect with others through inclusive sports and community activities. We were glad to be part of the day.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by MAC and took steps toward protecting their hearing health. We also appreciate Special Olympics Wisconsin for creating an environment centered on inclusion, growth, and overall well-being.

We’re proud to support this community and continue our work across Wisconsin.

04/13/2026

🎉 You’re invited! HEAR Wisconsin’s Celebration of the Century: A Sound Story 🎉

Join us on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee as we celebrate 100 years of impact, connection, and community. This will be an unforgettable evening honoring our past, celebrating our present, and securing our future.

Highlights of the evening:
• A cocktail reception to kick off the night
• A program and dinner
• Exciting live auction and paddle raise

Captioning and sign language interpreters will be provided for guests who are D/deaf or hard of hearing.

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors. Your generosity and partnership make this celebration, and our ongoing mission, possible.

We can’t wait to celebrate a century of sound, support, and community with you!

For more information on how to register, please visit: https://hearwi.org/events/2026/5/28/celebration-of-the-century

04/02/2026

National Deaf History Month 🧡

The month of April marks National Deaf History Month, a chance to honor and celebrate the Deaf community, its rich history, vibrant culture, and the many ways people communicate, including through American Sign Language (ASL).

This month highlights the powerful moments in Deaf history, from the opening of the first Deaf school in 1817, to the founding of Gallaudet University, to the Deaf President Now Movement that pushed for representation and sparked meaningful changes. These milestones remind us why access, inclusion, and effective communication are so important for everyone to have the access and support they need to thrive.

At HEAR Wisconsin, we see every day how important it is for people to be understood and supported. That is why we are sharing a story from UW-Milwaukee, where Deaf instructors and immersive ASL programs are helping prepare future interpreters and advocates who will make a real difference in our communities.

Deaf History Month is a reminder to learn, to listen, and to celebrate the strength, culture, and contributions of the Deaf community.

Watch the UWM feature here:

Faculty and staff from UW-Milwaukee's ASL Studies Program & ASL Enrichment Center join FOX6 to celebrate the rich heritage of the Deaf community and to promote greater awareness during Deaf History Month.

03/27/2026

📽️ HEAR Wisconsin on TMJ4’s Milwaukee Tonight!📽️

HEAR Wisconsin got a fun spotlight on TMJ4’s Milwaukee Tonight! Reporter Cassandra McShepard stopped by to learn more about what we do, and she even learned how to perform a hearing screening!👂️

It was a great chance to show the community what hearing care looks like in action and give people a peek into the work our audiologists do every day. We loved having Cassandra with us and sharing a little bit of the HEAR Wisconsin experience.

You can watch the segments here:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/cassandra-works-overtime-hear-wisconsin-003030448.html

https://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/hear-wisconsin-helps-people-ages-002418234.html