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Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center’s New Balance Center to Open August 17 Falling is something most people would rather not think about. But for older adults, understanding how to prevent a fall — and knowing what to do if one happens — can make a meaningful difference in maintaining independence and quality of life. That was the focus of Free Fall with Friends, a hands-on fall-prevention event hosted by the Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center (CFSHC) as part of the soft launch of its new CFSHC Balance Center. Rather than simply listening to a presentation about fall prevention, participants spent the day moving, practicing and learning by doing. With guidance from professionals and community partners, participants explored why balance can change, identified practical ways to reduce their risk of falling, practiced safer responses to a fall, and worked through the steps for safely getting up from the floor. The event was designed around a simple idea: fall prevention is more than knowing the risks — it's knowing what to do. “Falling is something most of us would rather not think about,” said Roxann Bonta, President/CEO of Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center. “But when we give people the opportunity to practice what to do before, during and after a fall, we can help them feel more prepared and confident in their everyday lives.” The event brought together community partners from Lakeland Regional Health’s Physical Therapy Department, Florida Southern College students and professors, and PunchWorx, whose expertise and support helped make Free Fall with Friends possible. Participants learned through hands-on activities designed to help translate fall-prevention concepts into skills they can use in everyday life. Responding to a Need in Polk County The idea for the CFSHC Balance Center was sparked by information presented during the 2025 State of Polk County presentation, where falls were identified as a top concern among older adults and a leading cause of hospitalizations for this population. The findings reinforced a need CFSHC was seeing in the community: people experiencing dizziness, imbalance and other vestibular concerns need accessible resources that can help them understand what is happening and take steps to stay safe and independent. “Free Fall with Friends really represents the heart of what we envisioned when we began planning the Balance Center,” said Roxann Bonta. “We want it to be a place where people can receive specialized care, but also a place where they can learn, practice and gain the tools they need to live more confidently.” CFSHC Balance Center Opens August 17 Following the success of the soft launch, the CFSHC Balance Center will officially begin seeing patients on August 17, 2026. The new center will provide comprehensive services addressing hearing, dizziness, balance and vestibular health, including: Vestibular evaluations for dizziness, vertigo and balance concerns Balance and fall-risk assessments Vestibular maneuvers for certain causes of dizziness and positional vertigo Balance and fall-prevention classes Hearing evaluations and hearing care Education and resources to help patients better understand balance changes and reduce fall risk By bringing these services together, CFSHC hopes to provide patients, families and healthcare providers with a local resource for addressing concerns that can have a significant impact on mobility, independence and quality of life. “Free Fall with Friends was only the beginning,” said Lauren Giordano, Chief Experience Officer of Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center. “The Balance Center is our opportunity to continue this work every day — helping people understand their balance, address problems early and feel more prepared to stay active and independent.” The CFSHC Balance Center will begin seeing patients August 17 at 2960 Lakeland Highlands Road in Lakeland. For more information about Balance Center services or referral information, contact Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center at 863-686-3189. About Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center has served individuals and families throughout Central Florida for more than 65 years, providing audiology, hearing, speech-language and related services. CFSHC is committed to increasing access to quality care and improving communication, independence and quality of life for people throughout the community. The CFSHC Balance Center expands that mission by providing specialized balance and vestibular services, education and fall-prevention resources to help Central Floridians live safer, healthier and more independent lives. Media Contact: Lauren Giordano Chief Experience Officer Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center 863-686-3189 Lgiordano@cfshc.org www.cfshc.org
Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center’s New Balance Center to Open August 17
Falling is something most people would rather not think about. But for older adults, understanding how to prevent a fall — and knowing what to do if one happens — can make a meaningful difference in maintaining independence and quality of life.
That was the focus of Free Fall with Friends, a hands-on fall-prevention event hosted by the Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center (CFSHC) as part of the soft launch of its new CFSHC Balance Center.
Rather than simply listening to a presentation about fall prevention, participants spent the day moving, practicing and learning by doing. With guidance from professionals and community partners, participants explored why balance can change, identified practical ways to reduce their risk of falling, practiced safer responses to a fall, and worked through the steps for safely getting up from the floor.
The event was designed around a simple idea: fall prevention is more than knowing the risks — it's knowing what to do.
“Falling is something most of us would rather not think about,” said Roxann Bonta, President/CEO of Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center. “But when we give people the opportunity to practice what to do before, during and after a fall, we can help them feel more prepared and confident in their everyday lives.”
The event brought together community partners from Lakeland Regional Health’s Physical Therapy Department, Florida Southern College students and professors, and PunchWorx, whose expertise and support helped make Free Fall with Friends possible.
Participants learned through hands-on activities designed to help translate fall-prevention concepts into skills they can use in everyday life.
Responding to a Need in Polk County
The idea for the CFSHC Balance Center was sparked by information presented during the 2025 State of Polk County presentation, where falls were identified as a top concern among older adults and a leading cause of hospitalizations for this population.
The findings reinforced a need CFSHC was seeing in the community: people experiencing dizziness, imbalance and other vestibular concerns need accessible resources that can help them understand what is happening and take steps to stay safe and independent.
“Free Fall with Friends really represents the heart of what we envisioned when we began planning the Balance Center,” said Roxann Bonta. “We want it to be a place where people can receive specialized care, but also a place where they can learn, practice and gain the tools they need to live more confidently.”
CFSHC Balance Center Opens August 17
Following the success of the soft launch, the CFSHC Balance Center will officially begin seeing patients on August 17, 2026.
The new center will provide comprehensive services addressing hearing, dizziness, balance and vestibular health, including:
Vestibular evaluations for dizziness, vertigo and balance concerns
Balance and fall-risk assessments
Vestibular maneuvers for certain causes of dizziness and positional vertigo
Balance and fall-prevention classes
Hearing evaluations and hearing care
Education and resources to help patients better understand balance changes and reduce fall risk
By bringing these services together, CFSHC hopes to provide patients, families and healthcare providers with a local resource for addressing concerns that can have a significant impact on mobility, independence and quality of life.
“Free Fall with Friends was only the beginning,” said Lauren Giordano, Chief Experience Officer of Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center. “The Balance Center is our opportunity to continue this work every day — helping people understand their balance, address problems early and feel more prepared to stay active and independent.”
The CFSHC Balance Center will begin seeing patients August 17 at 2960 Lakeland Highlands Road in Lakeland. For more information about Balance Center services or referral information, contact Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center at 863-686-3189.
About Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center
Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center has served individuals and families throughout Central Florida for more than 65 years, providing audiology, hearing, speech-language and related services. CFSHC is committed to increasing access to quality care and improving communication, independence and quality of life for people throughout the community.
The CFSHC Balance Center expands that mission by providing specialized balance and vestibular services, education and fall-prevention resources to help Central Floridians live safer, healthier and more independent lives.
Media Contact: Lauren Giordano Chief Experience Officer Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center 863-686-3189 Lgiordano@cfshc.org www.cfshc.org