May 16, 2024
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Karen Pastell receives Woman of the Year award from Zonta Club of Joliet Area

Pastell has belonged to the club 14 years

By Denise M. Baran-Unland
Even people with normal hearing may have trouble hearing all the words a person wearing a mask is saying, according to Karen Pastell at Prairieland Audiology in Joliet. Combine that with social distancing and communication becomes even more hampered, she added. Those challenges are greater in people with hearing loss, she said. "Part of the problem is reduction in sound quality and clarity," Pastell said. "But also many people with hearing loss, depending on the severity of loss, rely on visual cues to enhance their listening and they get their information from watching mouths or facial expressions. That's now taken away from them with the masks." Family and friends of people with hearing disabilities might consider wearing a clear window surgical mask or make one of their own, such as someone made for Pastell, since the brand she prefers is currently out of stock, she said. People who wear hearing aids need to be extra careful when removing masks, especially masks with elastic that fits over the ears to hold the mask in place. "Sometimes the hearing aid goes flying," Pastell said. "I know a couple of people who have lost their hearing aids."

Zonta Club of Joliet Area named Karen Pastell as its Woman of the Year on April 12. Pastell is a retired audiologist and former owner of Prairieland Audiology.

Zonta Club of Joliet Area named Karen Pastell as its Woman of the Year on April 12.

Pastell received a crystal award and a dozen yellow roses. She is a retired audiologist and former owner of Prairieland Audiology.

In those roles, Pastells discussed in a 2020 Herald-News story how pandemic safety measures pose unique challenges for people with hearing loss. In that story, Pastell also provided tips for speaking to people who have hearing loss.

Zonta Club of the Joliet Area named Karen Pastell as its Woman of the Year for 2022. Pastell is a retired audiologist and former owner of Prairieland Audiology.

Zonta Club of the Joliet Area named Karen Pastell as its Woman of the Year for 2022. Pastell is a retired audiologist and former owner of Prairieland Audiology. (Photo courtesy of Zonta Club of the Joliet Area)

Pastell has belonged to the club for 14 years and is its treasurer, according to a news release from Zonta Club of Joliet Area. She’s also served in executive board positions over the years and participated in many service projects and committees

The Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce recently honored Pastell at its Business Builders Meeting on March 25, according to the chamber’s Facebook page.

Peggy Field, committee chair for Zonta Club of Joliet Area, said in the release that members consider Pastell to be dependable and cheerful.

For information about the organization, visit jolietzonta.org.