Susan Brannen, president of the board of Briny Breezes Inc., dreamed of having a home in Briny Breeezes since she was 16 and began visiting relatives there. She loves the water, the people and the activities the town offers. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
During her remarkable career as an audiologist, Briny Breezes resident Susan Brannen dealt with many of the issues facing the estimated 50 million Americans with hearing loss.
In her eight years as a member of the Briny Breezes corporate board of directors — the last three as president — Brannen has had firsthand experiences with neighbors who are among that population.
“If you’re not hearing, there’s research to show that it will speed up cognitive decline,” Brannen said.
Brannen, who spends six months a year in Briny Breezes and the rest in Rochester, New York, said she sometimes joins a group that convenes at the town’s clubhouse veranda for cocktails at 5 o’clock and has noticed individuals who react to their hearing loss differently.
“One person was always saying, ‘I’ll take the seat on the end,’ and the reason was because that way they only had to listen to the person to one side of them. And that’s all they could talk to,” she said.
Brannen said she has addressed hearing issues with two of her neighbors, one of whom has since been fitted with a hearing aid.
“Communication has become a problem and they’re both much more cognitive of what they’re doing and how they’re doing it,” she said.
“People resist. Vanity is a huge part of it. I’ve even worked with kids and they don’t want their hearing aids to be seen. But people should know hearing aids have become much smaller and less visible, they can be connected wirelessly to your telephone, your TV. They will help in many, many situations to be able to follow a conversation.”
Brannen, 74, whose husband is John Henry “Hank” Greenwood, keeps busy during her time at Briny Breezes cooking for neighbors and as a member of the Hobby Club. She also enjoys sewing.
— Brian Biggane
Q: Where did you grow up and go to school? How do you think that has influenced you?
A: I grew up in Pleasant Valley, New York, a small town in the Hudson Valley. I lived in a neighborhood of homes built in the 1940s. We were a pretty close-knit neighborhood, we played with kids our age across maybe 15 homes, we walked together to elementary school. Many of our mothers did not work [outside the home] or worked part-time. None of us were of great means, but we looked out for each other as neighbors did. I am still in contact with some of these folks. A small-town environment is what I have always coveted.
Q: What professions have you worked in? What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
A: My undergraduate degree was in English literature with a minor in Russian. I had been fortunate in studying the Russian language in seventh through 12th grades and visiting the Soviet Union in 1968. I thought perhaps I would be an author. That did not work!
I went on after a bit and got a master’s in audiology from Geneseo State, with course work completed to work as a speech language pathologist as well. My goal was to be a rehabilitative audiologist.
I volunteered for many different professional associations. I served for 10 years on the New York State Licensure Board for speech language pathology and audiology, serving as its chair for two years. I served as the president of the New York Speech Language Hearing Association for two years after serving in several other capacities. I served as vice president for the American Speech and Hearing Association again after serving in several other capacities.
I was very active in local speech and hearing groups, as well as the Special Education PTA. I received my Au.D, a clinical doctorate, from the University of Florida in 2007, as the profession was transitioning to a doctoral level.
But the professional accomplishment I am most proud of is that I started an audiology program at a BOCES [a collaborative program among school districts that did not have the means to offer their own programs], providing services to 13 school districts for students with hearing loss or auditory disorders. When I retired we were a department of four audiologists, one technician and two clerical supports. It was an amazing career.
Q: What advice do you have for a young person seeking a career today?
A: Choose a mentor or at least look for one. Don’t be afraid to start at the bottom, take some risks, be open to learning and be willing to give each task a try to the best of your ability. Accepting that learning is equivalent to growth and achievement is critical in the process of moving up the ladder, if desired. Work hard, be on time, try to please.
Q: How did you find your home in Briny Breezes?
A: Having a home in Briny Breezes has been a dream since I was 16. My great aunt and uncle bought in Briny in the early ’60s after visiting the Tin Can tourist area. I missed maybe two years visiting since that time. My son, John Henry Greenwood, who is 39 [and shares his father’s name], has missed only one year. As a family we love what Briny Breezes offers us: the water, the people, the activities. While we live there only six months a year, we consider it home. Community is so very important and Briny offers that.
Q: What is your favorite part about living in Briny Breezes?
A: I am an active participant in several clubs at Briny, mostly the hobby, I am very involved in the bazaar, serving as treasurer, and I have been on the board of directors for eight years, serving as president for three. I love all of these activities, but the very best are the people. We have made many, many friends.
Q: What book are you reading now?
A: The Ride of Her Life, by Elizabeth Letts, a selection by an online book club offered through Marist College where I received my BA. A recent favorite book was The Women, by Kristin Hannah.
Q: What music do you listen to when you want to relax? When you want to be inspired?
A: When I really want to relax or be inspired, I listen to several female artists: Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris, Carole King, Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell and a more recent artist, Brandi Carlile. I also enjoy classic rock ’n’ roll.
Q: Have you had mentors in your life? Individuals who have inspired your life decisions?
A: One of my best mentors and advocates was when I was interning as an audiologist. Her name was Nancy Huffman, and she was a no-nonsense professional who caught on quickly who I was. She was a strong advocate for me. As the years proceeded, we went on switching roles between mentor and mentee. We presented the transition and the beauty of these roles at state-level professional meetings.
Q: If your life story were to be made into a movie, who would play you?
A: This is not one I have an easy answer to, so I reached out to family and a couple of close friends. The list was interesting: Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep, Bette Midler, Glenn Close. Regardless, all of the actors would be way cooler than me.
Q: Is there something people don’t know about you but should?
A: Important to know: While I am seen as direct and very pragmatic, I am a very caring person looking to provide some support or solace to those who need it. And I am a pretty good cook, so taking meals to folks is an easy opportunity in Briny. My husband helps with the deliveries.
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