The Decibels Foundation

The holiday season may be behind us, but group events are year-round. Help support those around you who may be hard of hearing.

The "never mind" one can be especially exhausting for people who have difficulty hearing.

Struggling with communication can be frustrating, whether you're hard of hearing or speaking to someone who is. 🦻🗣️ Here are some do's and don'ts to make conversations smoother:

❌ Avoid: Shouting, saying 'Never mind', repeating multiple times without change, just getting louder, interrupting, excluding, or over-exaggerating your speech.

✅ Try instead: Making eye contact, asking for clarifications, rephrasing, aiding lipreading, enunciating clearly, and using gestures or visual aids.

These tips are extra handy during holidays and big gatherings! Were any of these new to you?

Save these dates for upcoming events with The Decibels Foundation!

This event has been postponed until May 3, 2025. Same location, same phenomenal experience!

Get ready to sign and dance! Please join us on Saturday, January 25 in the auditorium at Nevins Memorial Library as Boston Children's Hospital welcomes DEAFinitely Dance for a performance and workshop for families and children of all ages. As a Boston based non-profit, the youth and leadership of DEAFinitely represent multi-lingual, cultural, racial, and socio-economic diversity. Through its Performance Crew, Deaf Youth Council mentoring program, and mental health initiatives, DEAFinitely is changing perspectives and putting American Sign Language and Deaf culture in the forefront of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Enjoy an uplifting and moving performance by the Performance Crew followed by an interactive workshop where children and families will receive dance instruction enhanced by incorporating ASL in to the movements. No prior dance experience is required, just bring an open mind and comfortable dancing shoes. This event is ideal for children ages 5 - 18 but can still be enjoyed by all ages. Doors will open for the performance at 11:45, and the performance will begin at 12:00. Lunch will be provided at the conclusion of the workshop, around 12:45/1:00.

Please email [email protected] to register for the event. Please include the total number of attendees and ages of children.

UPDATE: The registration is now OPEN until February 6th!!!

📢 Exciting news! OSD is offering FREE online ASL I and II classes this spring semester! Whether you're looking to communicate with Deaf individuals or expand your skills, this is for you! 🤟

🗓️ Mark on your calendar!
Registration opens on January 7th and closes on February 6th. Classes start on February 3rd and run until June 2025. It's a flexible, go-at-your-own-pace format! Are you ready to learn ASL?

https://courses.osd.k12.ok.us/

🌟 New Year, New Impact! 🌟

This year, make a resolution to create lasting change—become a monthly donor for The Decibels Foundation! 💙 Your consistent support helps provide critical resources for children with hearing loss and their families all year long. 🦻✨

Start 2025 by making a difference: decibelsfoundation.org/donate and select "Make This a Monthly Payment"

Thank you for your generosity! 💕

Get ready to sign and dance! Please join us on Saturday, January 25 in the auditorium at Nevins Memorial Library as Boston Children's Hospital welcomes DEAFinitely Dance for a performance and workshop for families and children of all ages. As a Boston based non-profit, the youth and leadership of DEAFinitely represent multi-lingual, cultural, racial, and socio-economic diversity. Through its Performance Crew, Deaf Youth Council mentoring program, and mental health initiatives, DEAFinitely is changing perspectives and putting American Sign Language and Deaf culture in the forefront of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Enjoy an uplifting and moving performance by the Performance Crew followed by an interactive workshop where children and families will receive dance instruction enhanced by incorporating ASL in to the movements. No prior dance experience is required, just bring an open mind and comfortable dancing shoes. This event is ideal for children ages 5 - 18 but can still be enjoyed by all ages. Doors will open for the performance at 11:45, and the performance will begin at 12:00. Lunch will be provided at the conclusion of the workshop, around 12:45/1:00.

Please email [email protected] to register for the event. Please include the total number of attendees and ages of children.

🎉✨ Happy New Year from The Decibels Foundation! ✨🎉

As we welcome 2025, we’re grateful for our amazing community of supporters who make our mission possible. Here’s to another year of creating brighter futures for children with hearing loss and their families! 💙

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and joyful year ahead! 🦻💫

📣 Support The Decibels Foundation! 💙

As the year wraps up, your donation can make a lasting impact on children with hearing loss and their families. 🦻✨ Help us continue providing critical resources, education, and support to those who need it most.

Every gift counts! Donate today: www.decibelsfoundation.org/donate

Thank you for making a difference! 💕

🕎 Happy Hanukkah! 🕯️
Wishing you a season filled with light, love, and blessings. May your candles shine bright and your hearts even brighter!

Wishing everyone the best the holiday season has to offer

Arlo and his family are the Decibels Wavemakers of the Month for December 2024! They are the featured Decibels Family in our 2024 Annual Newsletter.



Is there someone you'd like to nominate as a Decibels Wavemaker of the Month? Email [email protected].

Critter Day at Boston Children's Museum tomorrow, including ASL interpretation. Contact the museum for discounted tickets for visitors who are Deaf.

Reminder: our gift wrapping fundraiser at The Silver Unicorn Bookstore is happening on Saturday 12/21 11am-4pm. They have a wonderful variety of gifts (not just books!) for all ages, including locally made items.

Join us at The Silver Unicorn Bookstore on Saturday 12/21. Browse the extensive selection at this wonderful local independent bookstore that also offers a wide variety of games, puzzles, stocking stuffers, local artisan items, and more!

Then, for a small donation, The Decibels Foundation will be happy to add a touch of magic with bows, festive wrapping, and that special flair. Support local businesses and a local nonprofit this holiday season!

What a wonderful concept! Take a look at this story about a dance studio in Colorado with classes designed specifically for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Feel the Beat

Everyday Hero bringing accessible dance classes to those who are hard of hearing The Feel the Beat dance studio is a unique space where people who are deaf or hard of hearing can literally feel the beat through a vibrotactile floor.