At last year’s Spring Games, Special Olympics Wisconsin athlete Emily Huelsman participated in a routine Healthy Hearing screening; an experience that would soon make a lasting impact on her life. During the screening, audiologists identified a hearing loss that Emily and her family had not previously detected.
Following the event, Emily’s mother took the next steps to ensure her daughter received the care she needed. After further evaluation, Emily was fitted with hearing aids, marking the beginning of an important adjustment period.
This year at Spring Games, Emily returned; not just as an athlete, but as a success story. She was reunited with audiologists from HEAR WI, who volunteer their time and bring the Mobile Audiology Clinic to the event each year. During the Games, they checked and cleaned Emily’s hearing aids, ensuring she continues to thrive both on and off the field.
“Experiences like Emily’s are exactly why we are involved with Special Olympics,” said Sarah Andersen, Special Olympics Healthy Hearing Clinical Director and the Audiology Clinical Supervisor for the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. “It’s incredibly meaningful to see how a simple hearing screening, something that might seem small in the moment, can lead to momentous outcomes. Knowing that she can now more fully engage in conversations and everyday life is deeply rewarding. Emily’s story reinforces the importance of providing Healthy Hearing screenings at Special Olympics events, because you never know whose life might be impacted in such a profound way.
“For a person with an intellectual disability, untreated hearing loss can quietly shape almost every part of daily life—often in ways that are misunderstood,” explained Rachel Craig, Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders for the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and also the Special Olympics Healthy Hearing Clinical Director. “When hearing aids are introduced and work well for the individual, the change can feel dramatic, sometimes even transformative. One of the biggest shifts is in communication. Many people with intellectual disabilities already face challenges expressing themselves or understanding others. Hearing loss adds another layer of difficulty. Once they can hear more clearly, you may see a noticeable increase in their ability to follow conversations, respond appropriately, and engage socially.”
“Sometimes behaviors that were previously labeled as “noncompliant” or “withdrawn” turn out to have been rooted in not hearing or understanding what was happening,” Craig continued. “In addition to communication, there are many other areas in which their lives can be improved including confidence, independence, learning, and relationship building. Treating undiagnosed hearing loss can be life changing for these individuals.”
The Healthy Hearing program is one of several Special Olympics Wisconsin health initiatives designed to improve access to critical healthcare services for athletes. Through free screenings and follow-up care, athletes like Emily can identify and address health needs that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Opportunities for all athletes to participate in Healthy Hearing screenings continue throughout the year. The next event will take place at the Region 2 State Bowling Tournament at Weston Lanes on December 5. HEAR WI’s Mobile Audiology Clinic will also be present at Summer Games, Fall Games, and the Region 2 State Bowling Tournament, providing athletes with continued access to essential hearing care.
Emily’s journey is a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact of inclusive health services and the importance of ensuring every athlete can be seen, heard, and supported.
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