VA Augusta’s Innovative Devices Improve Life Quality for Deaf Veterans

TL/DR –

James Rush, a Marine Corps Veteran with severe hearing loss, has regained the ability to communicate effectively through the use of XanderGlasses, an innovative device that provides real-time closed captions, given to him by the VA Augusta Health Care System. Additionally, within this healthcare system, physical therapy assistant Ebony Dillard has designed the Device for gait, Efficiency, and Balance (DEB) to assist patients with lower limb weakness and reduce falls. The work of Kelsey Shull, named VHA’s Innovation Specialist of the Year in 2023 and a 2025 VHA Innovation Ecosystem (IE) Senior Innovation Fellow, among others, drives the innovation program that aims to enhance both medical treatment and the quality of life for Veterans.

Marine Corps Veteran discovers the power of conversation with XanderGlasses

Thanks to innovative technology, Marine Corps Veteran James Rush, afflicted with significant hearing loss, is experiencing conversational ease like never before. The XanderGlasses, provided by VA Augusta Health Care System, use real-time closed captioning to assist those with hearing challenges.

“The simple act of putting the glasses on transformed my quality of life,” expressed Rush. His wife, Janet, reflected on how this groundbreaking device has invigorated their communication after four decades of marriage.

Revolutionizing communication with XanderGlasses

VA Augusta’s Innovation Program, known for its life-enhancing solutions, co-developed the XanderGlasses in partnership with Xander through the VHA’s Innovators Network Greenhouse Initiative. VA Augusta Audiologist Dr. Lisa Rogers emphasized, “This amazing new technology provides a new pathway to communication for patients whose auditory systems are damaged.”

Pushing Innovation Boundaries with DEB

Mirroring VA Augusta’s commitment to innovation, Physical Therapy Assistant Ebony Dillard invented the DEB – Device for gait, Efficiency, and Balance – during her first week. The DEB aids patients with limited lower extremity strength, reducing the likelihood of falls. Dillard, supported by VA Augusta’s local innovation program, used human-centered design, focusing on Veterans’ needs to improve the prototype continuously.

The DEB resulted in improved walking distances for Veterans who tested the device. Acknowledging its impact, VA Southeast Network named Dillard’s invention as a top innovation project in the region. The U.S. Department of Commerce granted the DEB a provisional patent, paving the way for nationwide recognition.

Driving Healthcare Innovations

Key to these developments is Kelsey Shull, the 2025 VHA Innovation Ecosystem Senior Innovation Fellow, who has significantly influenced VA Augusta’s innovation program since 2012. Joined by Innovation Specialist Chris Ndeti, their diverse team continues to pioneer solutions that enhance Veterans’ life quality.

VA Augusta is not just a healthcare system; it’s a wellspring of hope, fostering an environment where Veterans thrive, powered by ground-breaking healthcare innovations.

—
Read More Health & Wellness News ; US News