Sudden hearing loss can be terrifying and disorienting. Existing loss that worsens, or becomes bilateral, or in other ways changes can also be difficult to adjust to. This is no less true today than when I suffered a devastating decline back in 2008, manageable loss that suddenly was no longer manageable. As readers of "Shouting … Continue reading Hearing Loss Can Up-End Your Life. Here’s How to Restart.
Does an AI-Assisted Hearing Aid Work for Cochlear Implant Users? Not as Well as You Might Expect.
People who have a cochlear implant in one ear and a hearing aid in the other are referred to as bimodal. They may use a hearing aid in one ear while they wait for a second implant surgery. Or, like me, their hearing in the good ear is good enough that a hearing aid is … Continue reading Does an AI-Assisted Hearing Aid Work for Cochlear Implant Users? Not as Well as You Might Expect.
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Talking to a Toddler.
I’m a grandmother with hearing loss. My 3-year-old granddaughter has a lot to say. Sometimes she whispers. And sometimes no matter how clearly she speaks I just don’t understand what she’s saying. The word I miss is usually the crucial word in the sentence, as it often is with adults. “I’m sorry sweetie, I didn’t … Continue reading Talking to a Toddler.
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How Much Does that Hearing Aid Cost?
If you’re in the market for new hearing aids, it's always best to start with an audiologist. But if you’re already a hearing-aid user, and your old hearing aids are still okay, you might want to do some research first. I have an Advanced Bionics cochlear implant and a Phonak hearing aid, made by the … Continue reading How Much Does that Hearing Aid Cost?
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Need a New Hearing Aid? What’s It Going to Cost You?
I need a new hearing aid. But how much I need it depends in part on how much it’s going to cost. This is surprisingly difficult information to obtain. I have an Advanced Bionics cochlear implant and a Phonak hearing aid, made by the same parent company, Sonova. It makes sense to stick with Sonova, … Continue reading Need a New Hearing Aid? What’s It Going to Cost You?
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I Should Be Deaf by Now. Here’s Why I’m Not.
Years ago, my ENT, Dr. Ronald Hoffman at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary (now part of Mt. Sinai), assured me that I’d never be deaf. I wasn’t convinced. My hearing had been in steep decline over the previous two decades, and no one could determine why. What could possibly halt the downward plunge? I … Continue reading I Should Be Deaf by Now. Here’s Why I’m Not.
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Revolutionary Fortell Hearing Aid Tackles the Cocktail Party Problem. Is it for you?
Hearing aid costs and performance are a major source of complaint for many people who use, or should use, hearing aids. Probably the most intractable challenge facing manufacturers is how to make speech audible and clear in a noisy environment. If you’re a reader of my blog, you’ve probably experienced the frustration yourself. It’s such … Continue reading Revolutionary Fortell Hearing Aid Tackles the Cocktail Party Problem. Is it for you?
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Just Say Yes
When you have hearing loss, it’s sometimes hard to make yourself get out of the house. It can be hard to accept invitations or make commitments. If you do accept, you may tell yourself you always have the option not to go. And often you don’t go. It can drive even your dearest friends and … Continue reading Just Say Yes
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Holiday Tips for Those with Hearing Loss: Try a Little TLC.
It’s Thanksgiving, the beginning of the holiday season. In rapid succession come Christmas and Hannukah, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, not to mention parties. Like many with hearing loss, I approach the holidays with some trepidation. Here’s my advice. Practice a little TLC. Happy Thanksgiving T is for Technology Assistive Listening Devices. Use … Continue reading Holiday Tips for Those with Hearing Loss: Try a Little TLC.
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A Field Guide to Captions
Captions are on almost every screen these days, and they can be a huge help for people with hearing loss. Unfortunately, precisely because they can help, a lot of older people don’t use them, worried about calling attention to their faltering hearing. But good news! Young people use captions at a significantly higher rate than … Continue reading A Field Guide to Captions
Katherine Bouton: Smart Hearing 