Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Being able to hear is one of the five senses that so many of us take for granted. But when hearing loss is involved, it becomes an entirely different isolated world.
Lynn Shea has spent a career helping mainly children with difficulties in hearing, speaking and communicating.
She is Director of the Early Childhood Program at Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center.
"It's really rewarding to watch children transform from not being able to hear, to suddenly being able to communicate with others," she told WBEN. "And for their parents, to go from, 'Oh my goodness my child has hearing loss,' to, 'Oh my gosh, my child is thriving,' is really remarkable."
Shea explained that it's a journey for families. "Whether it's a cochlear implant for an adult, or a child who can hear for the first time, it's amazing to watch their faces as a therapist."
She recalls one boy who had no language skills when she first saw him. He was a toddler at the time and she started seeing him in his home. His family reached out to her recently to let her know that he received military honors and was leading a very successful life.
Lynn Shea
Shea oversees a lot of different programs at Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center. For children with autism, she said iPads have technology where kids can use pictures to give them a voice. "These lightweight portable devices are making a huge difference."
While working largely in an administrator's role now, Shea said she loved being in the classroom and seeing the progress that these kids were making.
On being recognized as 'Selfless Among Us,' Shea said, "I'm so thankful for this honor recognizing all of the little things that we do every day. It's an amazing feeling."
