There’s a moment in the movie CODA that shocked me – after all these years – with the visceral understanding of how similar and yet how different the experience of deafness is to someone who is culturally Deaf and to someone like me who is functionally deaf and oral. CODA, which stands for Child of … Continue reading “Coda” is about Deaf Culture. Can people with hearing loss relate? I did.
Talk About Hearing Loss. A Lot.
Why is it that everyone who develops hearing loss seems to have to start at Square 1 to figure out what to do about it? I was reminded of this when I read an article by Deborah Copaken called PSA: Your AirPods Pro are Hearing Aids. It appeared on Copaken’s blog Ladyparts on Substack. Generally … Continue reading Talk About Hearing Loss. A Lot.
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Don’t Panic. It’s Not Good for Your Hearing.
Sometimes, out of nowhere, my hearing loss catches up to me. My frustration about not hearing something important comes rushing back, a reminder of my difficult early days with hearing devices. It can quickly turn into panic. Ordinarily I’m fine with my hearing aids and cochlear implant, supplemented by a remote mic when necessary, Otter … Continue reading Don’t Panic. It’s Not Good for Your Hearing.
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Be Prepared
This summer’s violent storms in the East and out-of-control wildfires in the West, after a winter that included a deadly freak snowstorm in Texas, are reminders that emergency preparation is important, especially for people with hearing loss. Your hearing aid is not going to do you any good without batteries, rechargeable or replaceable. Your cochlear … Continue reading Be Prepared
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Sleeping with Dogs
When my dog was a puppy he slept in a crate, then he moved to a chair, then onto the bed. My husband would pick him up like a little lamb, when he came to bed after me, and move him back to the chair. After my husband died, Oliver moved permanently to the bed. … Continue reading Sleeping with Dogs
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Affordable Hearing Aids are Already Here, but We’ll Still Need Audiologists.
We all want hearing aids to be more affordable. That’s the impetus behind the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017. Although signed into law by President Trump, it is still not active, though it’s been on the FDA’s schedule a few times. In July, President Biden signed an executive order on Promoting Competition in the … Continue reading Affordable Hearing Aids are Already Here, but We’ll Still Need Audiologists.
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It’s Summertime and the Livin’ is Noisy
It’s July 4th weekend and for many of us it marks our return to at least some degree of socializing. Picnics are good. But beware fireworks, marching bands, ceremonial cannon shots. These are all part of celebrating our nation’s birthday. They are also all hazardous to your hearing health. Fireworks can easily be 150 decibels. That … Continue reading It’s Summertime and the Livin’ is Noisy
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What does new drug for Alzheimer’s have to do with hearing loss?
What does last week’s approval of a new drug for Alzheimer’s have to do with hearing loss? Nothing, according to the articles and commentary that I read about the drug. Hearing loss was not mentioned in a single news story or commentary. The drug, brand-name Aduhelm, is the first new treatment for Alzheimer’s in 18 … Continue reading What does new drug for Alzheimer’s have to do with hearing loss?
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The Best Hearing Aids of 2021
Forbes Health has just published an excellent guide to hearing aids. Best Hearing Aids from Audiologists 2021. Forbes assembled a panel of three audiologists to come up with a list of best hearing aids in a variety of categories, including best hearing aid overall, best hearing aid for low budgets, best for tinnitus, best for … Continue reading The Best Hearing Aids of 2021
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Rain Delay
Here on the East Coast, Memorial Day weekend was rained out. Not only rained out but chilled out. I am currently in western Massachusetts, where the temperature hovered at 45 or lower and the rain was incessant. I worried about my newly planted vegetables. Frozen eggplant? But it was also kind of a relief. The … Continue reading Rain Delay
Katherine Bouton: Smart Hearing 