On June 18, 2025, the JOY (Just Older Youth) group at First Cary United Methodist Church in Cary, NC, welcomed two Duke speakers for a timely and engaging presentation on hearing health. The monthly JOY gatherings are designed to offer older adults informative sessions on topics that matter—and this month’s focus on hearing loss struck a particularly resonant chord.
The speakers, Hannah Heet, AuD, CCC-A, and Jessica West, PhD, MPH, brought both professional expertise and personal insight to the conversation.
Hannah Heet, a clinical audiologist at Duke Health since 2015, has extensive experience working with patients across the lifespan. She specializes in tinnitus evaluation and balance disorders and is passionate about helping individuals navigate hearing challenges with confidence and clarity.
Jessica West, a medical sociologist and faculty member at the Duke University School of Medicine, studies the health and well-being of people with hearing loss. Her research focuses on the stigma surrounding hearing devices and how to reduce it. Jessica also brings a personal perspective to her work—she has lived with hearing loss since childhood and has worn hearing aids since she was 17.
Together, they delivered a comprehensive and compassionate presentation that began with an overview of hearing loss, including how it is detected and the role of audiology in diagnosis and care. They then explored the prevalence of hearing loss and its often-overlooked consequences on both physical and mental health. A key theme was the stigma that can surround hearing loss and how it can delay individuals from seeking the help they need.
The speakers emphasized that early treatment is critical—not only to improve hearing but also to support overall well-being and social connection. Delaying care can lead to isolation, cognitive decline, and reduced quality of life.
The event was warmly received and sparked meaningful conversations among attendees, many of whom left feeling more informed and empowered to take the next step in their hearing health journey.
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