"The Buzz", by Nagish

Join us for an insightful conversation with Barbara Kelley, Executive Director of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), as she discusses the groundbreaking journey to make over-the-counter hearing aids a reality and HLAA's ongoing advocacy work.0:00 - The path to OTC hearing aids legislation2:27 - Understanding different pathways to hearing care4:04 - Timeline from research to implementation5:15 - Transition from PSAPs to OTC hearing aids7:41 - Current market challenges and consumer education9:40 - The long game of advocacy12:54 - Daily challenges of self-advocacy15:31 - Healthcare barriers for people with hearing loss18:24 - Looking ahead: New administration impacts22:27 - How to get involved with HLAA24:35 - Walk for Hearing community impactBarbara shares the behind-the-scenes work that led to the historic over-the-counter hearing aid legislation, while highlighting the ongoing need for consumer education and advocacy. From navigating healthcare settings to building inclusive communities through events like Walk for Hearing, learn how HLAA continues to support and empower people with hearing loss.To learn more about HLAA's work or get involved, visit hearingloss.org

Meet Ira Rubenstein, PBS's Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, who's spent his career shaping how we consume digital content.

Dimitri Kanevsky started his career researching at top academic institutions like the Weizmann Institute and Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study. Now, as an AI Research Scientist at Google, he's developing practical solutions that support everyday challenges for those experiencing hearing loss.

Linda Kozma-Spytek has spent more than 25 years working at the intersection of technology and accessibility, focusing on solutions for individuals with hearing loss.

This episode of The Buzz features Patrice Poltzer, a former TODAY Show producer and founder of her own video storytelling company who spent years hiding her hearing loss while shining light on others' stories.

On this episode of The Buzz , Laura Taylor, our Head of Engagement and Support at Nagish joins us. Laura brings over 15 years of experience as a trusted advisor and digital media executive. Now, she’s using her expertise to advocate for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.

In this week’s special episode of The Buzz, we're doing things a bit differently. Instead of hosting a guest, I'm getting into the questions that have been flooding my inbox about Nagish, our mission, and my own journey in the world of accessible tech.

You asked, and I'm here to answer! I'll be sharing insights into the heart behind Nagish, the challenges and triumphs of building tech that breaks barriers, and how my personal experiences have shaped our vision for a more inclusive world.

Whether you're a long-time Nagish user, are just discovering us, or are simply passionate about accessibility, this episode is for you.

As the co-founder of Clutter, Brian Thomas took a simple idea and turned it into an industry-leading storage company, securing a whopping $300M in funding along the way. Now, Brian's channeling his wisdom into supporting up-and-coming founders as a Venture Partner at Resolute and an angel investor. Oh yeah, and he’s done all of this despite facing profound hearing loss.

Introducing Christine Aurigemma, a leader in the world of disability inclusion and a powerful advocate for workplace equity. With a career spanning roles as a lab scientist, project manager, and now Senior Manager of Global Talent Solutions at Pfizer, Christine brings a unique and invaluable perspective to creating a more equitable and accessible workplace. Her journey, marked by both challenges and triumphs, offers vital insights for professionals navigating hearing loss in their careers.

In this episode of The Buzz, Christine shares her inspiring journey of living with hearing loss since the age of three and the obstacles she has overcome in her education and professional life. From her early struggles in mainstream education to her innovative approach of gaining experience through unpaid lab work, and now spearheading neurodiversity initiatives at Pfizer, her story is one of resilience, self-advocacy, and unwavering determination. Christine's experiences not only highlight the challenges faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the workplace but also provide a roadmap for creating more inclusive and supportive work environments.

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Meryl Evans is a true leader in the world of accessibility and inclusive marketing. As a speaker, consultant, and CEO of meryl.net, she's been a fierce advocate for disability inclusion, challenging the notion that this is a “nice to have” rather than a “need to have”. With her unique perspective as a Deaf individual and her wealth of experience working with companies to improve their accessibility practices, Meryl brings a powerful and authentic voice to the conversation around inclusive design and marketing.

In this episode of The Buzz podcast by Nagish, I dove deep with Meryl, exploring her personal journey with hearing loss and her tireless work to make the business world more inclusive. Our interview provides a holistic look at accessibility, covering everything from the importance of involving people with disabilities in product development to the potential of emerging technologies to create a more inclusive future. Through her insights and examples, Meryl paints a compelling picture of what true accessibility looks like – and why it matters for businesses of all sizes. She challenges listeners to think beyond the bare minimum and embrace inclusion as a core value that permeates every aspect of their work.