Los Fresnos News 9-14-22

Boys Girls Club Winds-Up for Their Big Kick-off

The Los Fresnos Boys & Girls Club NFL Football

year, and Director Edward Barron says he’s very excited.

The Boys & Girls Club of Los Fresnos had a Coaches Meeting for both Flag Football and Volleyball on Wednesday, September 7th

As of last week, they had close to 100 members in flag football. Barron shares that Volleyball is still registering players saying, “As soon as we hit the program goal, we will begin final league coordination.”

at the Boys & Girls Club building.

Barron shared his excitement with Los Fresnos News sayings, “What’s exciting for me is to see all the parents and family members support

their children by being there for them.”

Mr. Barron has been a part of the Boys & Girls Club of Los Fresnos for 20 years now and serves with a great passion for the kids in Los Fresnos.

International Trade Booming at the Port

Brownsville recorded an increase of 28% for the total value of exports in 2021, surpassing the $5 billion mark for the first time.

According to the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Board’s 2021 report to Congress released on August 29, FTZ No. 62 ranks second in the country with $5.2 billion in exported goods in 2021, an increase from the $4.1 billion reported in 2020.

The port’s FTZ has consistently ranked in the top three for exports out of 193 FTZs nationwide

since 2012. Additionally, FTZ No. 62 ranks 20th in the nation for the value of imports totaling $4.5 billion.

"This continued upward trend for our foreign trade zone is a reflection of the port’s growth and commitment to be the leading multimodal logistics hub in the Rio Grande Valley," said Eduardo A. Campirano, Port Director, and CEO.

"Our infrastructure expansion at the port supports FTZ No. 62, contributing to economic opportunities for a

successful future for the region."

Top commodities moved through FTZ No. 62 in 2021 were petroleum products, machinery, iron, steel, textiles, footwear, leather goods and fiber materials. FTZ No. 62 includes the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport, Valley International Airport, Harlingen Industrial Park and Airpark, NAFTA Industrial Park, and FINSA Industrial Park at Los Indios.

Holly

Emilio

Virtual Nature Club for kids starts Sept. 19

Fall club runs Monday evenings through Nov. 14

that will be really fun.”

Nature Club members will receive a kit in the mail full of curriculum, information, handouts and worksheets, and materials for activities, she said.

“They’ll even get materials to dissect their own owl pellet and we’ll dissect those live so they can receive instruction and get the chance to share and learn together,” Keck said.

Fall Nature Club topics

Written by Susan Himes

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Virtual Nature Club will start Sept. 19. The online series for youth will provide virtual “campers” with lessons, videos, discussions and handson activities.

The cost is $50. The

club will meet from 4-5 p.m. every Monday through Nov. 14, except for Halloween. Registration is required at https://tx.ag/ VirtualNatureClub.

For those participants who can’t attend the live club meetings, sessions will be recorded and posted online to watch later.

“We encourage kids

to join the Virtual Nature Club to learn about insects, horticulture, wildlife and more,” said event organizer Molly Keck, AgriLife Extension entomologist, Bexar County. “Whether they are already passionate about the outdoors or looking to learn more, this is a unique educational opportunity

Each meeting will cover a different subject, including:

• Lifecycles.

• Food webs and food chains.

• Predator/prey interactions.

Pollinator/plant interactions.

Contact Keck with any questions at mekeck@ag.tamu.edu or 210-631-0400.

Los Fresnos

Auto WTS Hydraulics (956)350-4588

A&A Towing & Recovery (956)233-5773

A&M Automotive (956)233-5773

Leo Motors (956)254-2010

Tarpon Auto (956)429-2992

Bank First Community Bank (956)233-4100

Bakery Tapia’s Cakes (956)346-5257

Chambers of Commerce Los Fresnos Chamber of Commerce (956)233-4488

City of Los Fresnos City Hall (956)233-5768

Community Development Los Fresnos Community Development Corp. (956)233-6182

Dental Los Fresnos Family Dentistry. (956)233-5100

Emergency Services Police / Fire / EMS (956)233-4473

Events CAF Museum (956)479-8585

CAF Air Show (956)479-8585

Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center (956)367-0335

Los Fresnos Rodeo lfrodeo.com

Eyecare

Dr. (956)399-0680

Farms CD&J Mini Ranch (956)456-9600

Flowers The Flower Gallery (956)233-1555

Gris Faviola’s Flower Shop (956)233-1611

Rosie’s Flowers & Gifts (956)233-5877

Formal Wear Los Fresnos Formal Wear (956)233-9572

Funeral Angel Lucy’s Funeral Home (956)254-2099

Dignity Memorial (956)797-5614

Gifts / Specialty Shops Las Tres Gallinas (956)577-5777

Handgun / Security Training Vinson’s Training School (956)266-2582

Hardware Zarsky Lumber Co. (956)233-4456

Healthcare Clinic / Home Care TVNS, LTD. (800)242-8867

Tropical Health Care (956)202-0111

Home Improvement Arizpe Flooring (956)545-8520

Hotel Los Fresnos Inn & Suites (956)233-1133

Insurance Rio Grande Underwriters (956)233-5744

State Farm David Armendariz (956)233-3276

Meat Market A&V Lopez Super Meat Market (956)233-2795

Newspaper Los Fresnos News (956)233-9928

Plumber Integrity Services & Plumbing (956)367-6005

Real Estate Realty Associates / Rosalinda Cantu (956)459-1403

Real Estate Outfitters Inc. (956)346-3034

V.I.P. Realty (956)399-7777

Recycling / Waste Oil Collection Fatty Chem By-Products (956)233-5691 Restaurant Subway (956)233-1617

Taqueria El Cien (956)233-1001

Dairy Queen (956)233-9533

Tapia’s Cafe (956)233-9988

RV Palmdale RV Resort (956)399-8694

Salon Cuts & More (956)233-3250

Schools LFCISD (956)254-5205

Towing All Valley Wide Towing LLC. (956)233-4840

Water Delivery / Filtration Culligan (956)399-1780

by Dr . ADA m LALONDE

Everyone’s mouth feels dry from time to time, but if you have a dry mouth all or most of the time, it may indicate that you have a problem with saliva production called Xerostomia or dry mouth. Dry mouth means you don’t have enough saliva or spit to keep your mouth moist. Without adequate saliva to lubricate your mouth, wash away food, and neutralize the acids produced by plaque, extensive cavities can form, so dry mouth should not be ignored. Reduced saliva flow that results in a dry mouth is more common among older adults, and often a side effect of medications such as antihistamines, diuretics, pain killers and medicines for high blood pressure. It may also be caused by medical disorders like diabetes or cancer. Symptoms of dry mouth include a dry feeling in your mouth and throat, trouble swallowing, a burning sensation on your tongue, reduced ability to taste things, a metallic taste in your mouth, mouth sores, or frequent bad breath. If you suffer from dry mouth your dentist can recommend various methods to help restore moisture. Saliva substitutes or specially formulated mouthwashes are among the recommendations that he or she might make to bring you relief. Additional information on this subject can be found at www.ada.org or at www.colgate.com.

If you have a Mexican saying you’d like to W.

Dr. Adam Lalonde

“La verdad no peca, pero incomoda.”

“the truth does not sin, but it's uncomfortable.”

Pollinators will be among the topics covered during the Virtual Nature Club. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Laura McKenzie)

DECLA r ING mOtOr VEHICLES A bANDONED

2nd Notice

To Whom It May Concern: Ace Towing and Recovery at 2850 Dana Ave.-A, Brownsvi|le.TX 78526 With the phone number (956)641-4215. Pursuant to the provisions of article V of the Texas Abatement Act, V.C.s 447-9a, Sec. 5.05, we hereby notify you that we took custody of the following vehicle on AUG. 01, 2022- CUSTOMS LOS TOMATES BRIDGE @ 2:30pm. .

1971 GMC PK BLACK/RED NO LIC PLATES WITH VIN#CE134J110893

The registered owner or lien holder has the right to claim the motor vehicle within (10) days from the date of this publication by payment of the impounding law enforcement agency. Unclaimed vehicles will be turned over to the Police Department to be declared abandoned and sold at public auction to satisfy the charges against the said.

By: Janie E. Trejo (956)541-2034 brownsvilletowing@yahoo.com

pgarza@citylf.us, shall be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 19, 2022. Proposals may be mailed to “TWDB SRF Proposal, 520 E. Ocean Blvd., Los Fresnos Texas 78566”. The city shall review and take action on the selection of the bond counsel on its City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m., tuesday, November 8, 2022. This contract is subject to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, which includes EPA-approved fair share goals toward procurement of Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) businesses. EPA rules require that applicants and prime contractors make a good faith effort to award a fair share of contracts, subcontracts, and procurements to M/ WBEs through demonstration of the six affirmative steps. For more details of the DBE Program and the current, applicable fair share goals, please visit www.twdb.texas.gov/dbe. A copy of the full proposal may be download it at www.cityoflosfresnos.com.

CItY OF LOS FrESNOS rEQUESt FOr prOpOSALS ENGINEErING SErVICES

The City of Los Fresnos will conduct a project for storm water planning and drainage improvements and is seeking to contract with a qualified Engineering firm to provide for planning this project, develop a comprehensive plan, to coordinate professional service consultants and to administratively manage the project until the Texas Water Development Board closes it. Four copies of the proposal, plainly marked “Proposal for Engineering Services” including an electronic copy to be e mail to pgarza@citylf.us , shall be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 19, 2022. Proposals may be mailed to “TWDB SRF Proposal, 520 E. Ocean Blvd., Los Fresnos Texas 78566”. The city shall review and take action on the selection of the engineering services on its City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m., tuesday, November 8, 2022. This contract is subject to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, which includes EPAapproved fair share goals toward procurement of Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) businesses. EPA rules require that applicants and prime contractors make a good faith effort to award a fair share of contracts, subcontracts, and procurements to M/WBEs through demonstration of the six affirmative steps. For more details of the DBE Program and the current, applicable fair share goals, please visit www.twdb.texas.gov/dbe. A copy of the full proposal may be download it at www.cityoflosfresnos.com.

CItY OF LOS FrESNOS rEQUESt FOr prOpOSALS

FINANCIAL ADVISOr

The City of Los Fresnos will conduct a project for storm water planning and drainage improvements and is seeking to contract with a qualified Financial Advisor firm to provide objective financial analysis and construct of proformas given current and prospective debt with the respect to assessing the viability of authorizing and issuing evidences of indebtedness and of executing contractual grant agreements to the Texas Water Development Board. Four copies of the proposal, plainly marked “Proposal for Financial Advisory Services” including an electronic copy to be e mail to pgarza@ citylf.us , shall be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 19, 2022. Proposals may be mailed to “TWDB SRF Proposal, 520 E. Ocean Blvd., Los Fresnos Texas 78566”. The city shall review and take action on the selection of the financial advisor on its City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m., tuesday, November 8, 2022. This contract is subject to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, which includes EPA-approved fair share goals toward procurement of Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) businesses. EPA rules require that applicants and prime contractors make a good faith effort to award a fair share of contracts, subcontracts, and procurements to M/ WBEs through demonstration of the six affirmative steps. For more details of the DBE Program and the current, applicable fair share goals, please visit www.twdb.texas.gov/dbe. A copy of the full proposal may be download it at www.cityoflosfresnos.com.

Staying Strong

Lady Falcons continue their winning ways

By Ruben Rodriguez Los Fresnos News

With District Play just around the corner, The Los Fresnos Lady Falcons continue to take advantage of the lengthy non-district calendar. Sitting at 24-5 on the season, The Lady Falcons have faced off against some of the Valley’s best.

For any Purpose, the Non-District portion of the season is meant to prepare a team for the more important District schedule up ahead. Again,

the Lady Falcons sit 24-5 throughout the nondistrict calendar, which includes tournament wins over 6A, 5A, and 4A teams. The Lady Falcons have been on the rise as one of the teams to look out for in the RGV’s 6A classification.

Winning nine of their last ten games, the Lady Falcons own victories against PSJA, San Antonio Edison, Corpus Christi Carroll, San Antonio Holmes, Laredo Martin, Mission Veterans, Mission High and two

wins over Edinburg High. Of those nine victories, seven have been in sweep fashion. In what has also been a memorable season as of yet, Lady Falcons Head Coach Anissa Lucio picked up her 200th victory as coach of Los Fresnos Volleyball.

Looking ahead to the remaining schedule, The Lady Falcons have two more non-district matchups against Laredo United South and Edinburg North before beginning District Play in September.

Los Fresnos Falcons

2022 Varsity Football Schedule

Date Opponent Time Site

Scrimmage Fri, 8/12 Edinburg Bobcats 7pm Away

Scrimmage Thur, 8/18 Brownsville Pace Vikings 7pm Home

Week 1 Fri, 8/26 Weslaco East Wildcats 7pm Away

Week 2 Fri, 9/2 + PSJA North Raiders 7pm Home

Week 3 Thur, 9/8 PSJA Bears 7pm Away

Week 4 Fri, 9/16 ^ La Joya Coyotes 7pm Home

Week 5 Fri, 9/23 #% Mission Eagles 7pm Home

BYE

Week 6

Week 7 Thur, 10/6 *Brownsville Rivera Raiders 7pm Away

Week 8 Fri, 10/14 Weslaco Panthers 7pm Away

Week 9 Fri, 10/21 *Brownsville Hanna Eagles 7pm Home

Week 10 Fri, 10/28 *San Benito Greyhounds 7pm Away

Week 11 Fri, 11/4 *Harlingen Cardinals 7pm Home

Holly Fern Named Newest Texas Superstar Plant

Great for shady locations, background for bedding ornamentals

fern displays stiff, glossy, dark green fronds with coarsely fringed margins on the leaves. These leaves closely resemble those of the holly shrub.

Its foliage is loose clumps of deep green, leathery, holly-like mature leaves with light green accents provided by new growth emitting from the center of the clump, Rodriguez said. They work well as a stand-alone specimen, as a border plant or as ground cover.

great background plant for spring annuals like begonias, impatiens and caladiums,” he said. “It can also provide good contrast for late fall and winter plantings like pansies and cyclamens. It really makes our color annuals and perennials stand out.”

Get to know holly fern

by frost can be removed for a cleaner appearance, Rodriguez said. Holly fern is seldom damaged by deer or rabbits.

Rodriguez said holly ferns do not freeze to the ground during average Texas winters and fared surprisingly well following sustained sub-freezing temperatures during Winter Storm Uri.

Written by Adam Russell

Holly fern, also known as Japanese holly fern and fish tail fern, an evergreen herbaceous shrubby perennial succulent, has been named the newest Texas Superstar plant.

David Rodriguez, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulturist, San Antonio, said established holly fern plants are reliable performers that provide a number of uses.

Rodriguez said fall is a good time to plant holly ferns, so they are well established before summer.

“Holly fern is a longstanding plant that has stood the test of time,”

he said. “Once it is established and with good mulching, it can tolerate moderate drought and is pretty cold hardy. Throw in the fact that it is good in shady areas like under a large tree or any dense canopy, and holly fern is a plant homeowners can find useful in their landscapes.”

To be designated a Texas Superstar, a plant must perform well for growers throughout the state. Texas Superstars must also be easy to propagate, ensuring the plants are widely available and reasonably priced.

Ways to utilize holly fern in landscapes

When mature, holly

In a bed or border, Rodriguez said the lush, deep green foliage of holly fern provides beautiful contrast and texture as a background for colorful annuals and perennials.

Rodriguez said holly ferns look very good in bunches to fill borders or large beds. He recommends several holly ferns planted 18-30 inches center-to-center apart to create a cascading, textured wall.

Holly fern can also be used in a large container surrounded by spilling perennials and annual ornamentals, he said.

“It has a very shiny leaf, and I think the shine and its color make it a

The holly fern is a versatile plant and can survive in the U.S. Department of Agriculture cold hardiness zones 6-10.

Plants prefer partial shade, but they can survive in full shade, Rodriguez said. Giving them morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal.

Moist but well-drained soils are needed for vigorous holly fern plants. The plants prefer a rich soil high in organic matter. A pH between 4 and 7 is highly preferred, but plants tolerate a wider range. Plants tolerate poor-quality, salty water and coastal conditions as well as low humidity once established.

They are a lowmaintenance plant that requires no pruning. However, fronds damaged

“With good soil preparation, a good layer of mulch and replenishing the mulch, holly fern can provide a long-lasting,

reliable, low-maintenance plant,” he said. “We’ve tested a lot of fern varieties, and without a doubt, the holly fern is always a top performer.”

Texas Superstar is a registered trademark owned by Texas A&M AgriLife Research. Plants are designated by the Texas Superstar executive board, which comprises nine horticulturists from AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension and Texas Tech University.

UT Health RGV Physicians Reminds Community Of The Importance Of Cancer Screenings And Checkups

most common gynecologic cancer in the country and causes more deaths than any other female reproductive system cancer. This month aims to remind women to get screenings to prevent or treat the disease early.

– Dr. Denise De Los Santos, obstetrician, gynecologist, UT Health RGV.

– Dr. Jorge Casquero Leon, obstetrician, gynecologist, UT Health RGV.

disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life.

– Dr. Ihsan Salloum, chair of the UTRGV School of Medicine’s Department of Neuroscience and director of the university’s Institute of Neuroscience at UT Health RGV. Salloum can speak on current research at the ION and possible treatments to help patients with alcohol and drug addictions.

prevention Day (Sept. 10)

This health observance is an awareness day that provides worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. Among people age 15 to 34, it is the second leading cause of death.

– Dr. Alcides Amador, psychiatrist and behavioral health specialist. UT Health RGV.

By News and Media Relations

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – SEPT. 7, 2022 –

UT Health RGV physicians have marked a variety of national health awareness campaigns for September.

Listed are UT Health RGV providers available to discuss the importance of regular health screening and

annual checkups that can prevent and treat diseases. Media interested in covering these topics will have access to the following UTRGV School of Medicine faculty and UT Health RGV medical providers for interviews.

Fall Season Flu, COVID-19, and booster Vaccines

Fall Season vaccines are available at UT Health RGV for students, faculty and staff, and the general community.

– Dr. Lori Berry, pediatrician, UT Health RGV.

National Ovarian Cancer Awareness month

According to the CDC, ovarian cancer is the second

Both physicians can speak to why women should conduct regular screening services at every stage in life – from adolescence to post-menopause – that may help prevent health issues.

National Alcohol & Drug Addiction recovery month

This health observance aims to raise awareness of substance use treatment and mental health services that can enable those with a mental or substance use

International Deaf Awareness Week (Sept. 21-27)

The week is set aside to honor the rich cultural history of the deaf community and continue the work of advocating for the rights of deaf people everywhere.

– Dr. Sandy Magallan, Ear, Nose & Throat specialist, UT Health RGV.

Can speak about the importance of inclusion and understanding of people with hearing loss.

World Suicide

Can speak on the new 988 Suicide Hotline, which will make getting herp easier and more accessible when people need help.

These health observances are an opportunity for the UTRGV School of Medicine and UT Health RGV physicians to discuss the work and services provided in these health-related areas.

For more information, contact Saira Cabrera at the UTRGV School of Medicine, at Saira. Cabrera@UTRGV.edu.

The holly fern prefers shade, so they can be an ideal addition around or under large trees. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Mike Arnold)

A holly fern plant unfurls new growth. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Mike Arnold)

UTRGV School of Medicine and UT Health RGV providers are available to discuss the importance of regular health screening and annual checkups. (UTRGV Photo by David Pike)

“I Can Hear Now”

UTRGV, nonprofits, partner to provide hearing aids to children and young adults

“Don’t give up,” he said. “It’s a lot better as an adult.”

NOrm ALIZING ADA ptAtIONS

UTRGV’s Stewart said early intervention can shape the trajectory of a child’s life – which is why the collaborative clinic targets babies, children, teenagers and young adults.

“It is critical for children to get hearing devices as early as possible,” she said.

mother, said she is grateful for the services provided through this collaboration.

“These hearing aids cost a lot and it was hard for us to buy them,” she said, “so we’re very thankful for all the help.”

CHALLENGES

bEYOND HEA r ING

Aside from the cost, Magallan said, families can face other hurdles when trying to help their children get medical assistance for hearing problems.

aid of her own. After it was fitted to her ear, she practiced putting it on herself, beaming and nodding shyly as she heard Magallan’s voice clearly, asking if she could hear her.

UTRGV’s Stewart says moments like that make volunteering at the collaborative clinics especially gratifying for her and her graduate students in the communication disorders program.

By Karen Villarreal

RIO GRANDE

VALLEY, TEXAS – SEPT. 1, 2022 – Jose Suarez Jr. is 19 now, but he has had trouble hearing since at least kindergarten, when his teacher first noticed he wasn’t responding to his name during roll call.

Testing revealed he had hearing loss, possibly the result of a high fever when he was just 6 months old.

His mother, Gloria Suarez, said it was very hard, at first, for her and her husband, Jose Sr., to know how they could be supportive.

“I used to go to his firstgrade class every day to help him,” she said.

Today, Suarez Jr., who is from Edinburg, is hearing well – with a little help from assistive technology and a collaborative between UTRGV and several community and business partners.

AID FOr HEA r ING AIDS

During a pop-up clinic by UTRGV and community partners, held this spring at A+ Audiology in Mission, Suarez Jr. and 17 other children and young adults received new hearings aids – free of charge. They also were fitted for and received counseling on how to maintain their hearing devices.

The event was collaboratively sponsored by the UTRGV Speech and Hearing Center; A+ Audiology; and two nonprofit organizations, Aid the Silent and the Disability Chamber of Commerce RGV.

Dr. Sandy Magallan, clinical assistant professor at the UTRGV School of Medicine and an audiologist at UT Health RGV, organized the pop-up clinic, which also made on-site services available – including testing by Magallan and audiologists from A+, who referred patients to an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist (who was on-site for the event) if the hearing loss was likely caused by medical issues, such as an ear infection or tumor.

“In the Rio Grande Valley, there is an extremely limited number of audiologists with the capacity to dispense hearing aids to the hearing-impaired pediatric population,” Magallan said.

“A lot of parents say they feel they’re the only ones on this journey with their child.”

The Suarez family isn’t alone in needing services for a child who is deaf or has hearing loss:

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 2.5 billion people are expected to have some degree of hearing loss by 2050, and at least 700 million will require hearing rehabilitation.

• The CDC reports that almost 6,000 infants born in 2019 in the United States were identified early with permanent hearing loss – 1.7 per 1,000 babies screened.

• More than 90 percent of deaf children are born to hearing parents.

• Research has found that nearly 1 in 7 Hispanic/ Latino adults has some hearing loss.

Only about 16 percent of adults ages 20 to 69 who could benefit from wearing hearing aids have ever used them.

pOp-U p COLLA bOr AtION

The first pop-up clinic was held in 2021 and distributed 22 hearing aids. The goal was to simplify the process of getting hearing devices to children.

The second pop-up clinic, held in March 2022, had the same goal: to serve low-income Valley families by bringing hearing devices to children and young adults.

By partnering since 2021, UTRGV and the collaborating organizations have been able to efficiently evaluate 30 children and young adults, and took their ear molds in a prior visit.

That visit served as preparation for a second visit to the pop-up clinic to try on the hearing devices – so they could wear them home that same day.

In addition to the nonprofit organizations that collaborated to provide hearing aids and testing services, Texas Hands & Voices (a parent-driven support organization), and the McAllen ISD Regional Day School Program for the Deaf were on hand to provide information for the families.

“We invited other organizations in the area to attend the pop-up clinics because we want to make sure the followup community is there,” Magallan said.

EA r LY I mpACt

A parent-infant coordinator was available to inform parents about the communication resources available for children who are not yet of school age, as most of the development of speech and language happens from birth to 3 years of age.

Dr. Jessica Stewart, assistant professor in the UTRGV Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, said early hearing loss has serious negative consequences on a child’s language, and cognitive and social development.

“More severe hearing losses can carry further negative consequences into adulthood, such as limited employment opportunities and an inability to remain independent,” Stewart said.

Angel Lopez, 22, who came to the clinic from Weslaco with very limited hearing, said he struggled a lot without hearing aids as a child. When he was older, he still felt he couldn’t work.

“When I was small and I couldn’t hear, sometimes I would cry,” Lopez said through an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter on-site. “Now, I can hear.”

The hearing aids will help him in school, he said during the spring clinic, both at the McAllen ISD Regional School for the Deaf and in his future career as a car mechanic.

He encourages children who are deaf and hard of hearing to continue to work hard, and get their hearing aids, if possible.

Suarez Jr., now studying criminal justice at South Texas College, got his first hearing aids when he was in first grade. He had to learn to adjust to taking them off at night and whenever moisture or perspiration could affect them, like when he was showering, swimming or exercising.

Early on, he had taken it upon himself to learn to read lips and, even as a child, learned to stay vigilant of his surroundings.

“After getting the hearing aids, I was more responsible – knowing I had to take care of something that was now part of my body,” he said.

The family adapted with other small changes to communicate with him – like whistling a tone he can hear, instead of calling his name. His two siblings, who do not have hearing loss, also respond to dad’s special whistle.

His parents always tried to make him feel normal, he said, like anybody else who uses “adaptive technology.”

“Lots of people need glasses to see,” Suarez Jr. said. “It’s the same thing.”

And, like glasses, hearing aids need to be updated over time: The body changes, hearing changes, ears grow, and new technologies become available.

tI m E tO U pGr ADE

UTRGV’s Magallan said hearing aids for growing ears are meant to last at least five years, but children might hold onto them a bit longer if they can’t get another set.

“Hearing loss might have a progressive nature, and how fast that happens varies,” she said. “A virus might cause different loss than a genetic component, so we monitor to make adjustments.”

Suarez Jr. is on his fourth set of hearing aids, and he is especially excited about the latest upgrade he received through the pop-up clinic – which are Bluetooth compatible.

“I love music and listen to it all the time,” he said. “Now I’ll hear better, and I can listen to music and movies whenever I want.”

He said he hopes to transfer to UTRGV to study business management and possibly pursue a career as a game warden.

Gloria Suarez, his

The process to acquire hearing aids can be overwhelming and can take many appointments over a period of months.

“You can’t just show up to an audiologist and go home with a pair of hearing aids,” she said.

“You have to get clearance from a doctor – then comes the testing, the molds, the fittings.”

Before the UTRGV School of Medicine began to offer audiology services, often were referred to Corpus Christi or farther away, so for families with limited funds or transportation, that meant their children might have to go without hearing devices altogether or be limited to using those provided at school.

“That’s what’s so cool about these clinics –we condensed most of these services into one day,” Stewart said. “And Aid the Silent provided transportation today for the families that needed it.”

Dr. Patty Roldan, owner and head audiologist at “A+ Audiology” in Mission, said the clinics ease some of the burden on families.

“You can get the best technology – the best services – from three different organizations,” she said. “You don’t see that very often.”

CHANGING tr AJECtOr IES

Erika Peña attended the pop-up clinic with her daughter, Dalayna, a second grader from Veteran’s Memorial Elementary in Roma.

Dalayna lost some hearing in infancy, after emergency surgery to remove a tumor.

“They lend her some hearing aids at school, but she needs them at home,” Erika said. “She says she struggles to hear without them.”

So, at the March collaborative clinic, Dalayna got a pink hearing

“I got to see a young man get his hearing aids activated today – his first pair since he was a child,” she said. “The smile on his face made everything worth it.”

SIGNS OF SU ppOrt

The pop-up clinics are the start of Magallan’s efforts to network with local and state organizations to increase the availability of services to families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing.

To further support the community, the UTRGV Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders had held a “Deaf and Hard of Hearing Awareness Walk” in April at the Region One Education Service Center in Edinburg.

Like at the pop-up clinics, organizations were on hand to provide information about services and to network, among them the Statewide Outreach Center’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program, Valley Association for Independent Living, and Early Childhood Intervention Services via Texas Health and Human Services.

Magallan said the walk and similar events are intended to be fun for families, but also to be informative.

“We want to get families together so they can mingle with other parents who are on the same journey –together, in one place,” she said.

Additionally, UTRGV’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (COMD) is working with Ashley Pediatrics, the Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program and other organizations to offer health fairs in underserved areas across the Valley, offering free hearing and speech screenings.

UT Health RGV opened its Hearing Center in two clinical locations, Edinburg and Harlingen – in July 2021. The center provides patients – from infants to senior citizens – with high-quality hearing care services, such as diagnostic testing, hearing screenings, hearing aid and cochlear implant services. In this file photo, Eden Davila of Rio Grande City, who has a cochlear implant and requires hearing services and consultations, works with Dr. Sandy Magallan, audiologist and clinical assistant professor in the UTRGV College of Health Professions Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, at the UT Health RGV Surgical Specialty in Edinburg. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)

In July 2021, Dr. Sandy Magallan, Au.D., UTRGV clinical assistant professor of Communication Disorders, works with Eden Davila of Rio Grande City at the UT Health RGV Hearing Center, located inside the UT Health RGV Surgical Specialty Clinic in Edinburg. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)