Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Hear for a Reason: A Story of Compassion and Advocacy
Dr. Jana Smith, an Audigy-Certified Audiologist at Blue Wave Hearing Centers, is on a personal mission to help those with hearing loss get more out of life. From the beginning of her career as a teacher, she saw the need in so many of her students who could not advocate for themselves. A calling to make a difference influenced Jana to become an Audiologist. Passion for a service-based career yielded three professional degrees and spans more than 20 years.
Beginning with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Jana spent her professional career improving the lives of children with developmental delays. Working alongside Speech Therapists at Kids First she saw the impact of early intervention.
Inspired to go back to school for Speech and Hearing Sciences, Jana was further motivated to improve the lives of others after a lunch date with her grandmother.
The impact of hearing loss hit home as Jana was unable to converse with her grandmother in a noisy, crowded restaurant. Her grandmother was a pivotal person in her life and it pained her to see the social isolation hearing loss causes, first hand. “I knew I had to make an impact, not just for my grandmother but those who don’t have an advocate, whether they be a child or an adult,” Jana says.
“Hearing loss affects one in 10 Americans, and 360 million people worldwide, yet many do not have access to the hearing devices that can help them,” says Jana. Dr. Smith has provided hearing aids and comprehensive care to over 100 patients worldwide through her hard work and dedication to the following charities: Arkansas Hands & Voices, Allison’s Hope for Hearing, The Lion’s Club & HearNow. “My favorite part of being an audiologist is my patient hugging my neck and telling me ‘thank you for helping me hear better’,” says Jana.
Blue Wave Hearing Centers is accepting used hearing aid donations on behalf of Jana’s charities. Contributing the hearing aids is an excellent way to pay it forward providing someone else with the gift of sound. Donations may be tax-deductible. The journey from giving to the life changing missions abroad is an absolute labor of love. Bring donations to 1501 SE Walton Boulevard in Bentonville, call (479) 202-9618, or visit BlueWaveHearing.com for more information about how you can make a difference.