Did you know?
Approximately 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss but only 1 in 5 people who would benefit from a hearing aid actually uses one!
Do you think you could benefit from a hearing test? Call Audiology Services at 419-756-1133.
Q&A with Dr. Wendy Page
1. What is your title and how long have you worked at Catalyst?
I am a Doctor of Audiology, this is a clinical doctorate. I have worked for The Rehab Center/Catalyst for 33 years.
2. Can you share about some of the services that your department provides?
We serve people of all ages. My youngest was a premature infant, age -4 days and my oldest was 101 years of age. I provide hearing testing to determine the type and degree of hearing loss. Once the hearing loss is defined, I am able to give options for patients such as hearing aids or assistive listening devices to help them hear better and communicate more effectively.
Technology recommended is specific to individual’s needs and lifestyle. We offer the latest technology for hearing aids, including Bluetooth direct connectivity and rechargeable for sale. We also service many hearing aid manufacturer’s not sold through Catalyst. We offer options for possible solutions and include family as often as possible so that patients can make informed decisions about their hearing. We also work with local industries providing hearing testing that meets OSHA guidelines as well as in the schools. Services are provided as a fee for service. We accept many private insurances, self-pay, Medicare and Medicaid and Medicaid HMO’s.
3. What do you think is something most people don’t know about Audiology Services or hearing loss in general?
Audiology Services are available to anyone; we are not county bound, we are not just for those who cannot pay or have Medicaid. Hearing loss can occur at any age, but the incidence (percentage) of people that have hearing loss increases with age. Only 1 in 5 people who needs hearing aids wears them and people generally wait 7 years from the time that they think they have a hearing loss until they purchase hearing aids. Hearing loss is a hidden limitation. Hearing to listen is one of the most difficult skills we have, it is exhausting for those with hearing loss due to the extra effort.
4. What do you like most about working at Catalyst?
I enjoy the people, patients and families I work with here. I am shown how grateful they are in their smiles and (until recently) hugs. There is this magical smile of peace and relief that the patients show when they hear again or for the first time; or the face of a baby when they hear their parent’s voices for the first time. I never tire of seeing these things happen.
5. Is there anything else you would like to share?
Many people who are deaf and hard of hearing rely on lip/speech reading and facial expressions to help understand what the speaker is saying; when we wear masks it makes it so much harder for them to communicate effectively. Patience and kindness would be welcomed and appreciated.
Did you know?
Precise Services is a vocational program located at the Rehab Center for individuals with disabilities who are provided intensive training to perform quality work to ensure customer satisfaction.
Call 419-774-2201 to learn more!
Q&A with Barb Moore
Q1: What is your title and how long have you worked at
Catalyst?
My title is Precise Services/Facilities maintenance – Director . I’m working on my 40th year.
Q2: What is Precise Services and what do they offer?
Precise Services is another one of our vocational programs serving the commercial customer for custodial and lawn care as well as residential customers with lawn care services. A number of our client employees have come through our workshops and have successfully attained and maintained employment with Precise Services. One of the things that I think makes Precise a unique employer is the fact that we focus on an individual’s capabilities, not disabilities.
Q3: How many individuals work for Precise and how many locations do they cover?
We have 53 employees in Precise and 4 in Facilities Maintenance. We have almost 100 contracts between custodial and lawn care. The maintenance crew takes care of both of our main sites, the New Beginning’s campus and numerous apartments.
Q4: What do you enjoy most about your job and Precise Services?
The individuals I work with and making a difference in peoples lives.
Q5: How would one get involved with Precise as a potential worker? Or a potential customer?
We can be reached at 419-774-2201, for someone having question about our services or looking for employment
Q6: Is there anything else you would like to share about Precise?
Precise is all about someone’s ability not disability.
Q7: When was Precise established?
Precise started back in the mid to late 80’s with 1 custodial and 1 contract that we serviced twice a week. Now we have over 50 employees and nearly 100 contracts, some we maintain 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 356 days a year.
Community Support
Thank you to the support of United Way of Richland County!
Through United Way funding, we can help guide our youth and are able to provide the L.I.F.E (Learning Information For Empowerment) Initiative for children. L.I.F.E is a summer youth program that promotes a healthy, informed, active lifestyle and aims to increase prosocial skills through teaching new perspectives on mental/physical health and wellness. Catalyst will provide regular weekly recreational activities, learning environments, multi-cultural games, arts and crafts, and health education paired with the Skillstreaming curriculum. The L.I.F.E initiative assists youth with special needs and mental health diagnoses to identify social ques, obtain appropriate peer interactions, receive psych education of their diagnoses, and increase their self- awareness. Through the L.I.F.E program, children of our community are given the opportunity to feel empowered, gain self-awareness, develop coping strategies, improve problem-solving skills, and learn to make healthy decisions. These healthy decisions will improve their development both physically and mentally. L.I.F.E. aims to promote literacy, health, and wellness.
Hear from our Executive Director, Erin Schaefer
Richland Source in partnership with Ohio Health has designated this week as “Wellness Week” in order to promote mental health and share tools and exercises on how to decrease stress and anxiety.
We think thousands of thoughts every day. When we start to feel worried or sad, it often helps to change our thinking.
Watch this Wellness Week video to learn some tips on how to get started, courtesy of Erin Schaefer, executive director and executive vice president of Catalyst Life Services.
