Hearing is one of our most precious gifts, giving us the ability to communicate effectively, which should not be taken for granted.

This is the core belief and driving passion for Dr. Shantell D. Lewis, founder of Here2Hear. The nonprofit organization, now in its eighth year, offers a host of free services and programs related to hearing health care for children and adults in the Richmond and Tri-Cities areas.

Dr. Lewis, a 41-year-old audiologist dedicated to advocacy and helping others, also leads Here2Hear’s board that is made up a variety of health care professionals who want to boost hearing health in the metro area.

Working for several ear, nose and throat specialists, Dr. Lewis said she noticed people leaving the doctors’ offices needed hearing help but couldn’t cover the cost of hearing aids, and subsequently, would forego additional treatment.

“The nonprofit was founded based on that disparity and the much needed healthier hearing services,” Dr. Lewis says. “Those underserved communities are not just people living below the poverty line, but every-day working people who simply can’t afford health care.”

Here2Hear provides free hearing tests and healthy ear examinations by licensed audiologists. It also provides free and low-cost hearing aids to people with hearing loss; educational seminars and written materials, including programs to teach young people how to protect their hearing by lowering the volume of their music and reducing the amount of time they are exposed to loud noise; and free kits to help people with hearing loss to communicate effectively in emergency situations.

Proceeds from Here2Hear’s Annual Gala and Art Show, slated for Saturday, Sept. 29, at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, help fund its programs and services.

“I give 10 percent of my earnings each month to Here2Hear,” says Dr. Lewis, who started the fundraising event three years ago.

Dr. Lewis’ interest in audiology was piqued when she participated in a biology project during her freshman year at Virginia Union University in 1995.

“We were to talk to professionals in the field we wanted to pursue and I found Dr. Randall Dalton, an ear, nose and throat specialist,” Dr. Lewis recalls. Her persistence helped get her past a reluctant receptionist, she says, and she was introduced to an audiologist in Dr. Dalton’s office.

“I did a four-year, unpaid internship and realized my professional passion,” Dr. Lewis recalls. “I discovered audiology was what I wanted to do because it involved the ear, although I still loved all of the senses.”

Her experience led her to earn degrees in biology from VUU in 1999, a master’s in audiology from Howard University in 2002 and a doctorate in audiology from the University of Florida in 2009.

“For those who can’t afford hearing health care, please reach out to Here2Hear because we are a wonderful resource. We are here to help you,” she says.

The free, effective communication emergency kits, which will be distributed Oct. 13 from Richmond Fire Department headquarters, contain a small flashlight to help people who are hard of hearing to see for lip reading; a card people with hearing loss can hand someone, particularly in emergency situations, to say they have a hearing loss or communication issues; and a list of apps to help people with hearing issues communicate with police if they are stopped.

Dr. Lewis’ advice to adults and children is simple: “Make sure you get your ears checked every year and follow up with what is recommended.”

Meet a dedicated advocate for hearing health and this week’s Personality, Dr. Shantell D. Lewis:

Occupation: Audiologist.

No. 1 community involvement: Founder of Here2Hear.

Date and place of birth: July 1 in Richmond.

Current residence: Henrico County.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in biology, Virginia Union University; master’s in audiology, Howard University; and doctor of audiology degree, University of Florida.

Family: Son, Kyree Currie.

Reason Here2Hear was founded: There was a lack of options for individuals who could not afford quality hearing health care and hearing aids in the Richmond area. Therefore, Here2Hear was developed to provide programs to assist with closing the disparity of affordable and accessible hearing health care, hearing loss assistive devices such as hearing aids and preventative education in the community.

Foremost mission: Our mission is to prevent poor hearing health care by providing programs for individuals that live in Richmond and the surrounding areas.

Why I am excited about this organization: This unique organization provides a host of hearing health care and preventative programs to children and adults at no cost to individuals who may not otherwise have access to care. This organization is also a big supporter of the local deaf community.

How to deal with hearing loss diagnosis: It is important for an individual to understand and accept his or her diagnosis. These individuals will have to be advocates for themselves, so it is important for them to learn coping skills. These individuals should follow the recommendation of their audiologist, who will provide guidance and provide options to assist with hearing. It is equally as important when learning how to deal with hearing loss to talk with others, including their loved ones, local support groups or organization, such as Here2Hear about their hearing and how to deal with hearing loss.

Importance of family support: The family can provide strength and support for an individual with hearing loss. Hearing loss decreases an individual’s ability to communicate effectively. And the more severe the hearing loss, the more difficult it is to communicate with family members on a daily basis. Therefore, family members can be supportive by attending hearing loss related appointments and hearing loss programs, assist loved ones with hearing aids if needed and assist loved ones in difficult to hear situations.

Best advice parents can give their children about protecting their hearing: Turn down the volume on headphones and earbuds and limit the time of listening in noise, including while in a band and while playing video games. Permanent hearing loss can develop, which can cause tinnitus — ringing in the ears — and difficulty with communication with family and friends.

Foremost challenge facing underserved areas: Access to quality hearing health care and preventative hearing loss education.

What needs to be done: First, education regarding hearing health care is a must, as it leads to healthy hearing and information on preventative hearing loss. Second, there should be more programs to assist underserved population to include going into communities and providing health checkups, such as hearing screenings.

Other organizations Here2Hear partners with: We have developed partnerships with Purple Communications and the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

What motivated me to get involved in community service: I have always felt the need to help people in my community so that I could share the gifts that God has provided me. My motivation comes from the various stories that people in the community have shared, which allows me to figure out where I could make a difference.

How I start the day: With a moment of peace and silence to reflect on the positive things from the day before, then focus on the plan for the day ahead to make it a good day.

A perfect day for me is: A stress-free, peaceful day where I can enjoying the activities I like to do, such as creating artwork, working on my collection and spending time with my loved ones.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I love to collect original African-American artifacts and historical pieces. I enjoy my collection of more than 300 pieces so far.

How I unwind: Creating artwork while listening to jazz music and Stevie Wonder.

A quote that I am inspired by: “Keep your face to the sunshine and you can never see the shadow.” — Helen Keller

Best late-night snack: Ritz crackers with whatever I can find to put on them, especially chocolate.

Best thing my parents ever taught me: To work hard and do my best no matter my upbringing and circumstances.

Person who influenced me the most: My sister, Alicia Atkins.

The book that influenced me the most: “Maximize the Moment” by T.D. Jakes.

What I’m reading now: “Colored Pictures” by Michael D. Harris.

The one thing that I’ve learned in life is: That life is short, so be grateful for each day and enjoy the people you love and in your inner circle.

My next goal: To start grant writing for funding for Here2Hear and increase the number of volunteers.