The Sounds of Spring, with Soundtrack

It’s spring. There’s so much to hear! And it gets louder and louder over the coming months. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com In early spring, the stream I walk along is full of ice-melt and cascades down the rocky gulley that is frozen in winter and dry in midsummer, roaring now like ocean waves. The … Continue reading The Sounds of Spring, with Soundtrack

CODA at the Oscars

The triumph of CODA at the Academy Awards last night, which won Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Screenplay, should go a long way towards raising awareness of the Deaf -- and maybe also of the Hard of Hearing. The film is a funny and very moving portrayal of a Deaf family who live … Continue reading CODA at the Oscars

What if We Could Cure Hearing Loss? A Clinical Trial Explores the Possibility.

What if we could cure hearing loss? What if those of us who are hard of hearing could put aside the expensive and sometimes frustrating technology we use now? What if we could simply turn a biological switch and hear again, as well as we did before our ears suffered the detrimental effects of noise … Continue reading What if We Could Cure Hearing Loss? A Clinical Trial Explores the Possibility.

Hearing and Healthy Aging

Recently I was invited to write an editorial referencing two studies on the effect of hearing on healthy aging. The article has just been published, in the Journals of Gerontology. Most readers won't be able to access it, so I'm reprinting the text here. The title is "The Importance of Hearing in Maintaining Overall Functioning … Continue reading Hearing and Healthy Aging

You’re Not Alone: Books Can Help You on Your Hearing Loss Journey

Nice post on the website of Let's Loop Seattle, which discusses books for people with hearing loss, including children. You can add your own favorites, either on the original post or on this one. I'm always looking for good new reading on the subject. I'll be writing about Gael Hannan and Shari Eberts new book, … Continue reading You’re Not Alone: Books Can Help You on Your Hearing Loss Journey

Does Hearing Loss Affect Your Sense of Direction?

Last April, the New Yorker Magazine ran an article about animal migration called “Why Animals Don’t Get Lost," by Kathryn Schulz. The article was full of fascinating insights into animal navigation and amazing tales of seemingly impossible journeys. But one passage leapt out at me:“The problem isn’t that humans don’t have any innate way-finding tools. … Continue reading Does Hearing Loss Affect Your Sense of Direction?

New York City Mandates Open Captions in Movie Theaters.

[Note: If this looks familiar, it's because it was published yesterday under a different title. Feel free to read it again.] It’s nice to be able to end this generally awful year with some good news. On December 15th, New York’s City Council passed a bill that requires movie theaters to provide daily showings of … Continue reading New York City Mandates Open Captions in Movie Theaters.

Some Good News, for a Change

It’s nice to be able to end this generally awful year with some good news. On December 15th, New York’s City Council passed a bill that requires movie theaters to provide daily showings of movies with open captions. Goodbye Gooseneck! That means no more struggling with individual cupholder-anchored, gooseneck caption screens, or with captioned glasses … Continue reading Some Good News, for a Change

Has the Pandemic Affected Your Hearing?

Captions have become ubiquitous during these many months of isolation. Is that an unmitigated good for those with hearing loss? For me, at least, maybe not. When I watch TV or streaming video, it’s captioned. I set the volume so I can hear the spoken words to supplement the captions, but it’s the other way … Continue reading Has the Pandemic Affected Your Hearing?

Holiday TLC, Redux

This Thanksgiving may be the first time we've seen family and friends since the beginning of the Pandemic. I'm both excited and a little nervous. Holidays can be difficult for the hard of hearing. Here are some ways you can make it a little easier on yourself. T is for Technology Assistive Listening Devices. Use … Continue reading Holiday TLC, Redux