It clearly was a moving memorial service for a longtime friend who had died after a long illness, but I sat in silence, unable to hear the poignant stories and loving words from family and friends. The problem was something I’ve encountered all too often before: A house of worship without the technology to allow … Continue reading Frustrated by Silence at a Funeral

Posted: 09/09/2015 by Katherine Bouton | 0 Comments Are restaurant owners finally getting the message that dining out shouldn’t come with a giant helping of noise? This summer, articles appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the New York Times and Bloomberg.com extolling the efforts some upscale restaurants are  making to tone down the din. Many of … Continue reading Noisy Restaurant? How to Hear Better

Posted: 09/02/2015 It’s a boon for people with hearing loss, widely used in northern Europe, and yet in this country it still remains relatively unknown and under-utilized by millions who could benefit from it. I’m talking about induction looping, which has been available in the U.S. for years. For those unfamiliar with this ingenious device, … Continue reading Why is This ‘Technological Godsend’ Still a Secret?

No disability? Guess what. You benefit from the Americans With Disabilities Act every single day. Let’s start with wheelchair access. Parents pushing strollers, travelers with rolling suitcases, bicyclists (who should be walking the bike, not riding), workers with hand trucks, shoppers with carts full of groceries — none of these are the intended beneficiaries of wheelchair … Continue reading How The ADA Benefits All of Us — Yes, YOU!

During August 6th’s Republican debate, where Donald Trump’s remarks gained him disproportionate attention, Trump seemed to comment on Rand Paul’s hearing aids. As the Times’s David Barbaro reported: “‘I don’t think you heard me,’ [Trump] scowled at Senator Rand Paul, when the lawmaker — who uses hearing aids — sought to interrupt him, then added … Continue reading Rand Paul’s Hearing Aids: Why You Should Care

Hearing loss is often referred to as a hidden disability, but one place it shouldn’t be invisible is in a government report on disability. That’s what happened last week when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a report on the prevalence of disability in the United States. The report found that more … Continue reading Why Did CDC Disability Report Exclude Hearing Loss?

One of the major complaints about hearing aids is that they don’t work well in noise. Dinner in a restaurant can mean choosing to be assaulted by the din and still not hear your dinner companions, or taking the hearing aids out and trying to get along by lip reading. The reason for the din … Continue reading Hybrid Implants Could Help Millions Hear Better

The Persistent Stigma of Hearing Loss—Even 25 Years After ADA Posted: 07/29/2015 by Katherine Bouton | Comments: 0 Thinking and reading about the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act, 25 years ago this week, has been a surprising reminder of how far we have come in a relatively short span. Twenty-five years — July … Continue reading Hearing Loss Remains a Hidden Disability. Why?

How to Enjoy the Party — Even With Hearing Loss Posted: 07/23/2015 by Katherine Bouton | 0 Comments Summertime offers the opportunity for a kind of social encounter that those with significant hearing loss don’t get often enough — an outdoor party. Being outside, without air conditioners humming or loud music blaring, makes it easier … Continue reading Fire Up the Tiki Torches — Summer Parties and Hearing Loss

My new book “Living Better With Hearing Loss: A Guide to Health, Happiness, Love, Sex, Work, Friends… and Hearing Aids” is just what it says: a one-stop shop for dealing with hearing loss. The book is available as an ebook or a paperback. You can buy it any bookstore, though they may have to order … Continue reading Everything You Need to Know About Hearing Loss — in One Easy Read