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What does it really mean to live with single-sided deafness?

In this episode of the EmpowEAR Audiology Podcast, I sit down with a mom and her teen daughter to share their family’s journey with single-sided deafness (SSD) — from diagnosis and daily listening challenges to the decision to pursue a cochlear implant and life beyond activation.

Although SSD can appear “invisible,” this conversation highlights the real impact it can have on listening effort, fatigue, confidence, and identity — especially in school and social settings. Together, we explore what it’s like to grow up with hearing in one ear, how cochlear implantation entered the conversation, and what families and professionals need to understand to better support students with SSD.

This episode blends lived experience with educational insight, offering encouragement, perspective, and reassurance for families navigating similar decisions.

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share — it helps more families and professionals find the stories they need to hear.

For more information about Dr. Carrie Spangler- check out her Linktree at https://linktr.ee/carrie.spangler.

For transcripts of this episode- visit the podcast website at: https://empowearaudiology.buzzsprout.com

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In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Carrie Spangler shares about her upcoming second cochlear implant as she reflects on resilience, bouncing forward and her CI marathon mantra. From the first magical sounds she heard years ago—Jingle Bells, her dog’s collar, a car turn signal—to the lessons learned along the way, Carrie explores what it means to bounce forward, not just back. It’s a episode of resilience, rediscovery, and connection—and a reminder that whether you’re facing a cochlear implant journey or another life challenge, you’re never alone in learning to bounce forward.

Follow HearingSpanglish blog at https://hearingspanglish.com/

For more information about Dr. Carrie Spangler- check out her Linktree at https://linktr.ee/carrie.spangler.

For transcripts of this episode- visit the podcast website at: https://empowearaudiology.buzzsprout.com

Let's continue the conversation- send me a text!

In this special episode of the EmpowEAR Audiology Podcast, host Dr. Carrie Spangler honors Educational Audiology Awareness Week 2025 with notable guests in the educational audiology field: Dr. Cheryl DeConde Johnson and Dr. Kristin Samuelson.

Cheryl and Kristin share their professional journeys and the collective advocacy behind the Certificate Holder in Educational Audiology (CH-EdAud) program, developed through the collaboration of the American Board of Audiology and the Educational Audiology Association. This program strengthens professional identity, raises awareness of the vital role educational audiologists play in schools, and ensures better outcomes for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

From program development and system change to direct school-based support, our guests highlight the power of educational audiology to make a difference. Whether you’re a seasoned audiologist, a new educational audiologist, or thinking about making a switch, this episode is for you!

https://www.audiology.org/american-board-of-audiology/aba-certificate-programs/certificate-holder-educational-audiology-ch-edaud/

https://www.edaud.org/

For more information about Dr. Carrie Spangler- check out her Linktree at https://linktr.ee/carrie.spangler.

For transcripts of this episode- visit the podcast website at: https://empowearaudiology.buzzsprout.com