As I was window shopping one day, a jewelry display caught my eye. I went a little closer and was delighted at what I saw, in particular the sterling silver and shell jewelry. I had never see such a beautiful combination that symbolized audiology, a profession I love dearly. And then it hit me! This unique jewelry, with it natural shape of a human cochlea, was the perfect symbol to promote hearing loss awareness and encourage dialogue about its treatment. Audiologists could embrace it as a symbol of a profession we all love and our patients could adopt it as a symbol of their first step in accepting their own unique hearing loss. I decided at that moment that I had to find a way to introduce this beautiful “cochlea” jewelry to the audiology and hearing impaired communities. I contacted the artisans, became a distributor and introduced it at the annual Florida Academy of Audiology meeting. The response was overwhelming and AuDBling was born!
Since that time, I have spread the message to thousands by attending conventions and by building my own website AuDBling.com. I have been able to have countless conversations with people in all sorts of places that I feel have impacted individuals in a positive way, all by simply wearing AuDBling jewelry. For example, one typical conversation I often engage in goes something like this:
Individual: “That is a beautiful necklace!”
Me: “Thank you! I am an audiologist and I wear it because it’s shaped like the cochlea of the ear.”
Individual: “Oh, my grandfather doesn’t hear very well and I can’t get him to pursue hearing aids because they are so expensive.”
Me: “Is he a veteran?”
Individual: “Yes.”
Me: “Well, I have some great news for you……”
Again, this is just one example of how a conversation can begin. And this is such an opportune time to make your AuDBling purchase count! I recently have partnered with Entheos Audiology Cooperative to help give the gift of hearing to those who would otherwise go without. Entheos is comprised of private practice audiologists who offer their skills and talents to not only assist patients within their practice, but to assist those in need worldwide including Zambia, Jordan, and Guatemala. During the month of December, AuDBling will not only donate 10% of your purchase price to support the mission of this Audiology Cooperative, but additionally match the donation. By purchasing beautiful jewelry for yourself, staff, friends and family, you will support a great cause and help spread the word about hearing loss and all its available treatments.
Noël Crosby is owner of Advanced Hearing Solutions, Inc. in Englewood Florida and owner of AuDBling. She earned her MS in Audiology from Florida State University in 1986 and her AuD from the University of Florida in 2000. Dr. Crosby served as Audiology Director for the Ear Research Foundation from 1986-1988. Noël has served as President of the Florida Academy of Audiology two time; her first term was in 2000 and her second term was in 2009. Dr. Crosby is a member of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology and the American Academy of Audiology.
Nice article on how beautiful cochlea shaped jewelry can create a great conversation!