Vertigo, Redux

I haven’t posted for a while not because I was on a restful summer holiday but because I’ve been experiencing bouts of vertigo and dizziness over the past few weeks. Not only do these sideline me, they also affect my brain. They affect my memory, for starters. As I began to write this post I … Continue reading Vertigo, Redux

About Those OTC Hearing Aids

Thanks to Gael Hannan for inviting me to write about Over the Counter hearing aids for her column this week, on Hearing Health and Technology Matters. http://hearinghealthmatters.org/betterhearingconsumer/2017/4790/ This puts together much of what I have written previously on the subject, in one tidy package.

Great News for People With Hearing Loss

Today the Senate passed the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act, which HLAA has actively supported, in the belief that this will bring relief to millions of Americans who do not now have hearing aids and improve hearing services for people with all levels of hearing loss. You can read HLAA's press release here: Senate Passes the … Continue reading Great News for People With Hearing Loss

How I Learned to Love My Cochlear Implant.

In 2013 in my first book, “Shouting Won’t Help,” I wrote about the difficult experience I had adjusting to a cochlear implant I received in 2009. That section was excerpted in Bloomberg View and it is still easily available online. I often get letters from people who have seen the article and are worried by … Continue reading How I Learned to Love My Cochlear Implant.

The Toll of Hearing Loss is Global

A new study published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet offers an unblinking look at the tremendous burden of hearing loss worldwide. “Global hearing health care: new findings and perspectives” was published on July 10th. The authors are Blake S. Wilson, Debara L. Tucci, Michael H. Merson and Gerard M. O’Donoghue. The first and … Continue reading The Toll of Hearing Loss is Global

The Politics of OTC Hearing Aids

Many people with hearing loss, and many professionals involved in hearing health care, either support or disagree with the Over the Counter Hearing Aid Act currently being considered by Congress. Their reasons have to do with their view of what's best for people with hearing loss. I'm a strong supporter, as readers know. I don't … Continue reading The Politics of OTC Hearing Aids

Advocacy: Lessons Learned

My friend and HLAA colleague Ruth Bernstein gave me permission to repost this excellent essay. Posted by Ruth Bernstein on May 5, 2017 Accessibility + Advocacy, Communicate Well, Live Well | 2 Comments | Facebook Tweet Email Sound Advice by Ruth D. Bernstein I have a history as an advocate for people with hearing loss … Continue reading Advocacy: Lessons Learned

Flying this Summer? Hints for Your Hearing Aids

As this year’s summer travel season approaches, news of heightened airport security is making some people with hearing aids or cochlear implants nervous about what they may encounter as they go through TSA screening. Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security announced that the current ban on laptops and tablets, including some E-readers, on … Continue reading Flying this Summer? Hints for Your Hearing Aids

OTC Hearing Aid Act Moves Ahead

On Friday May 12, a Senate bill containing a provision for FDA-approved Over the Counter Hearing Aids passed from committee to the full Senate, where it is expected to pass. This is an enormous step towards cheaper, more accessible hearing aids, which should help lower the cost of all hearing aids, even high-end hearing aids, which … Continue reading OTC Hearing Aid Act Moves Ahead