[This is a repost that contains new information on surgical masks.] The new coronavirus COVID-19 is an equal opportunity infector, affecting rich and poor, young and old, healthy and sickly. Among the more prominent victims is an attendee at the annual Conservative Public Action Conference (CPAC), exposure to whom has led President Trump’s new chief of … Continue reading Coronavirus Concerns for People with Hearing Loss. It’s not just the disease.
Healthy Hearing
Surgical Masks and Coronavirus – an Update
I heard from so many people today about my column on the extra-medical consequences of corona panic for people with hearing loss that I want to link to this excellent article from Johns Hopkins about see through surgical masks. "Transparent Surgical Mask to Improve Communication with Patients." Maybe this is something #HLAA should get behind. … Continue reading Surgical Masks and Coronavirus – an Update
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Coronavirus and People with Hearing Loss
The new coronavirus COVID-19 is an equal opportunity infector, affecting rich and poor, young and old, healthy and sickly. Among the more prominent victims is an attendee at the annual Conservative Public Action Conference (CPAC), exposure to whom has led President Trump’s new chief of staff to self-quarantine. The head of New York’s Port Authority … Continue reading Coronavirus and People with Hearing Loss
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How Fit is Your Hearing?
Recently, a prominent researcher in the field of hearing loss suggested a simple change in the way we talk about hearing loss. Rather than frame it as a disability, said Dr. Justin Golub of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, “I like the idea of hearing fitness.” “Hearing loss” is a negative term. For people who … Continue reading How Fit is Your Hearing?
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He Doesn’t Look Disabled.
How many times have those of us with hearing loss been told that we don't look deaf, whatever "looking" deaf means. It's hard enough to make people recognize invisible disabilities. but today's New York Times has an Op-Ed that suggests it's okay to question the disabled status even of someone with visible disabilities. In "The … Continue reading He Doesn’t Look Disabled.
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Surfer Girl Wears Hearing Aid
One of the things that makes wearing hearing aids easier is having a good role model. This is especially true of children. This year American Girl, the hugely popular doll company, named as its 2020 doll of the year Joss Kendrick, who was born with hearing loss and wears a hearing aid in her right … Continue reading Surfer Girl Wears Hearing Aid
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Medicare and Hearing Aids
Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids. This is the one thing about hearing loss that never fails to surprise people new to the field. The fact that Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids even for the most severe and disabling hearing loss is even more shocking. Despite universal agreement among health care practitioners that untreated hearing loss … Continue reading Medicare and Hearing Aids
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Emergency 911 is still inaccessible for many New Yorkers. How long do we have to wait?
In New York City, where I live, the deaf and hard of hearing are out of luck when it comes to calling 911 for help. Text 911 (or Text-to-911) is available in thousands of municipalities and counties across the United States. It can be life-saving not only for those who cannot hear but also for … Continue reading Emergency 911 is still inaccessible for many New Yorkers. How long do we have to wait?
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Captions: Better and Better!
I don’t like to write about apps and products that I don’t use myself, because the first-person experience is very important when dealing with hearing devices. But when I find one I like, I want to share it. In the past few months, I’ve been using a transcription app called Otter.ai. Otter has been around since … Continue reading Captions: Better and Better!
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Would You Cure Your Hearing Loss?
Would you cure your hearing loss? At the moment, that’s a hypothetical question. A cure for hearing loss does not exist. But as Dr. Tom Friedman of the National Institutes of Health told an audience at the Hearing Loss Association of America’s annual convention in June, a cure for at least one type of hearing … Continue reading Would You Cure Your Hearing Loss?
Katherine Bouton: Smart Hearing 