About Coach L. Cheryl Nolte
My areas of expertise include: one-on-one coaching, lip reading instruction, consulting for businesses and individuals and lip reading interpretation when audio is unclear.
My History with Hearing Loss
My hearing loss started before the third grade from measles and chicken pox and the loss has continued to get worse. I cannot hear anything without powerful hearing aids. Over the years, I learned the importance of sitting in the “front row”, lip reading and reading body language to get the best hearing advantage.
Professional Experience
- Business Owner: My practice, “Hearing Challenge Coach,” was established in 2021 to provide coaching, consulting, lip-reading instruction for people with hearing challenges as well as those who work with them. I also provide lip-reading interpretation for various purposes including court cases and helping clients gain context from videos, whether commercial or personal, that are missing a sound track.
- Lip Reading Instructor and Coach: One of the most effective tools in our hearing challenge toolbox is lip reading. Many people encouraged me to teach lip reading after admiring my skills for many years. As a result, it has become a primary focus of my coaching practice. I spent an additional two years developing the training syllabus that I now use in my classes after seven years of original lip-reading training. Since 2014, I’ve taught lip reading to over 160 people using a syllabus and lessons that I created based on the aforementioned training and research. My students, ranging in age from 22 to 97, have come as individuals and from various places such as clubs, organizations, assisted living facilities, and adult education centers. Some classes have been sponsored by the Treasure Coast Hearing Loss Chapter and Fort Pierce Lions Club.
- Published Author: I created the “Treasure Coast Hearing Guide” to help people find the best resources and solutions to cope with hearing loss. I continue to research and stay current on the organizations, services, and tools that are available.
My Services
Below is just a sampling of the many ways I can help you with your hearing challenges:
- Identify the ways hearing loss is affecting your life and how to take action.
- Learn how to limit further hearing challenges.
- Build your lip reading skills to keep you in the conversation.
- Find providers for hearing aids, Ear Nose and Throat Professionals, Hearing Instrument Specialists and Audiologists
- Get financial aid for assistive listening devices and/or hearing aids
- Learn about the use of guide dogs
- Where to seek Cochlear implants and Bone Assist devices
- Use telecoils, looping, captioning, Bluetooth, technology apps and other tools of assistance
- Provide information about agencies that can help you adapt your work, home and other environments.
- Adapt so that you can fit in and enjoy work, home and life.
My Background
I was a Treasure Coast, Florida resident for over 50 years, but I’ve now relocated to Lake City, Florida for family reasons. I have two adult grandsons who currently still live and work in Florida. My daughter (only child) passed away in August 2019 and is an additional inspiration for helping others.
Community Involvement
My volunteer work has positioned me as a recognized lip reader and hearing challenge leader. Experienced in nonprofit organizations, event planning, team building, public speaking, and fundraising including with the Treasure Coast Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America and the Fort Pierce Lions Club.
Previously:
- President: Treasure Coast Chapter, Hearing Loss Association of America
- Hearing Chair, Director, Newsletter Editor, Committee Chair for Medical Safety Awareness: Fort Pierce Lions Club
- Member and Chaplain: Soroptimist of St. Lucie
- President, Treasure Coast Zone, LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League), then LWML, Grace Lutheran Church in Port St Lucie
- Lt. Col. Civil Air Patrol (CAP) (USAF Auxiliary)
- Director, Indian River Community College Alumni Foundation
- Director, Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce
- Director of Public Affairs, FL Wing, Civil Air Patrol
- Director, Ground (FL Emergency Assistance Teams), FL Wing, Civil Air Patrol
- Former volunteer Instructor with:
- American Red Cross: First Aid
- Civil Air Patrol, Florida Wing: Ground Search and Rescue
- Civil Air Patrol, Southeast Region, US: Public Affairs
- Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Pierce, FL: Sunday School Teacher, K-2nd Grade
