St. Petersburg nonprofit leader discusses how her experience with hearing loss inspired a life-saving mission for children
Tampa Bay, FL – [February 3rd, 2026] – Christy Vogel, Founder and Executive Director of Sounding Joy, recently appeared on The Heartbeat of Tampa Bay, hosted by Christopher Ingram and Sarina Fazan, to share her personal story of living with undiagnosed hearing loss and how that experience inspired her to launch a nonprofit dedicated to helping children access the hearing care they need.
In the heartfelt conversation, Christy Vogel discusses growing up with hearing loss that went undiagnosed until sixth grade and being unable to afford hearing aids until age 27. That personal journey became the catalyst for Sounding Joy, a St. Petersburg-based nonprofit that provides hearing aids, accessories, and services to children whose families cannot afford them.
“After experiencing firsthand what it’s like to go without the hearing support I needed, I knew something had to change for the next generation,” Vogel said in the interview. “Every child deserves the chance to hear clearly, connect with others, and reach their full potential, regardless of their family’s financial situation.”
Since its founding in 2021, Sounding Joy has provided hearing aids to over 100 children in the Tampa Bay area. The milestone has been made possible through Vogel’s leadership, the dedication of Sounding Joy’s Board of Directors, and the unwavering support of the community.
During the interview, Vogel also discusses building Marketing Direction, her award-winning B2B marketing firm, and how both her business and nonprofit endeavors are rooted in the same core value: helping others thrive.
The full interview is available to watch below:
