On Friday, June 27, Pacific Hearing Connection, led by Dr. Deborah Clark and Dr. Jane Baxter, provided audiology expertise, student supervision and training, and a tremendous amount of enthusiasm to help provide comprehensive hearing screenings to athletes and coaches competing in the 2025 Regional Special Olympics Summer Games.  

Our shared goal was to inform athletes, parents, coaches, and caregivers about the detection of possible ear and hearing problems, recommend follow-up as needed, and advise about the necessity of regular ear and hearing healthcare.  

We estimate that 300+ athletes were seen through this event. That’s an astounding number of people that our team was able to help with expert hearing advice. 

Jane and Debbie: Champions of Hearing Health 

Jane and Debbie have dedicated their lives to transforming how individuals experience sound.  

Even though they’re no longer seeing patients in the traditional office setting, their mission to improve hearing health is stronger than ever. By channeling their expertise into community-oriented projects, they extend their care beyond clinic walls. 

Jane and Debbie’s partnership with the Northern California Special Olympics Summer Games exemplifies their unwavering commitment. By volunteering their expertise to screen and advise over 300 athletes, they have shown how indispensable hearing care can be to personal well-being and community participation. 

The Heart of Pacific Hearing Connection 

Pacific Hearing Connection was established with core values of integrity, empathy, and altruism. We are dedicated to making hearing healthcare accessible to underserved populations. We focus on delivering care to low-income adults and children, ensuring no one is left without the means to enjoy the beauty of sound. 

We make sure to give back to both our local and global communities; with initiatives that stretch from the heart of California to remote areas across the globe, our connection to community remains unyielding, ensuring that as many people as possible have access to the gold-standard hearing care they deserve. 

How You Can Make a Difference 

Whether you’re seeking to enhance your understanding of hearing health or looking to give back to your community, there are several ways you can contribute:

  • Schedule a Hearing Screening: Taking the step to monitor your hearing health is crucial. Our expert audiologists are ready to guide you through the process with comprehensive diagnostic and empathetic care. 
  • Volunteer Your Time: Opportunities abound to join hands with Jane, Debbie, and the team in outreach programs and community events. Your support can play a vital role in ensuring that hearing care reaches those who need it most. 
  • Spread the Word: Awareness is a powerful tool. By sharing your experiences and the importance of hearing health, you help destigmatize hearing issues and create a supportive environment for those affected. 
  • Donate: Whether you invest financially or donate your lightly used hearing devices for refurbishing, every donation makes a significant impact in delivering sound health across borders. 

The Future of Hearing Care 

As the event came to a close, Dr. Clark had this to say: “Wow, Friday was quite a day! I think I can safely say Jane and I both came home at the end of the day feeling both exhausted and invigorated.”  

Pacific Hearing Connection will continue to move forward with our partnership, making our services available to potential patients needing hearing aid fitting or further care and participating in additional Northern California Special Olympic Healthy Athlete screenings and events. 

Continuing Jane and Debbie’s legacy, Pacific Hearing Connection is poised to drive forward innovative health solutions and community collaborations that embrace everyone, in the spirit of inclusivity and empowerment.

In this transformative journey, your voice matters. 

Being a part of this story isn’t just about hearing; it’s about connecting, engaging, and transforming lives one sound at a time. Together, we can help everyone hear the life they love!

Please don’t hesitate to request a callback and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as we can to answer questions, address concerns, or chat with you about what you need. 

Don’t want to wait? Find your closest clinic and give us a call! 

Menlo Park: (650) 854-1980
Los Altos: (650) 941-0664

Our shared goal was to inform athletes, parents, coaches, and caregivers about the detection of possible ear and hearing problems, recommend follow-up as needed, and advise about the necessity of regular ear and hearing healthcare.

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Ariel Fruendt, Au.D.

I went to school at Northwestern University for my undergraduate degree and Au.D. I completed my clinical externship at UCSF Medical Center, then worked in private practice. We moved to Chicago for my husband’s job and I worked in private practice there before joining the clinical faculty at Northwestern University’s on-campus clinic. I served as a preceptor for Au.D. students, focusing on adult diagnostics and treatment, tinnitus management, and hearing conservation. I also taught ethics in audiology courses and oversaw an amplification lecture series. My favorite thing about Pacific Hearing Service is the dynamic and supportive team environment that always puts the patient first, with dedication to using evidence-based practice in our everyday protocols.