Gael Hannan

Gael Hannan is an author, speaker and advocate on hearing loss issues. In addition to her weekly blog at the Better Hearing Consumer, which has a passionate international following, Gael has written two acclaimed books, “The Way I Hear It: A Life with Hearing Loss”and “Hear & Beyond: Live Skillfully with Hearing Loss”, written with Shari Eberts. She is regularly invited to present her uniquely humorous and insightful work to appreciative audiences around the world. Gael has received many awards for her work that advocates for individuals to become more knowledgeable and successful at dealing with their hearing loss and a more inclusive society for them to live in.

Featured image for “The Light That Helps Us Hear”

The Light That Helps Us Hear

I’m deaf in the dark. When I say that, people laugh A bit uncertainly at first, And even after they’ve had a moment to think about it They’re still a bit confused Until I explain that, for people with hearing loss, It’s the light that helps us hear. Without illumination, I cannot see the sounds being made And what I

Featured image for “I’m a Hearing Care Professional with Hearing Loss”

I’m a Hearing Care Professional with Hearing Loss

My guest writer this week is the dynamic Alison Graham, whom I met many years ago through the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association. She lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and young daughter. By Alison Graham, Hearing Instrument Practitioner It is not uncommon these days to encounter hearing health care professionals who use hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Featured image for “Hearing the Cocktail Talk”

Hearing the Cocktail Talk

Last night the Hearing Husband and I went to a cocktail party. Hosted by our best friends from Toronto who are here in St. Augustine, Florida, escaping the brutal Canada winter, the party was not as fancy as the name suggests. These days, ‘cocktails at five’ may mean something farther down the sophistication scale, such as “drinks and appies”

Can You Hear Your Favorite Sounds?

NOTE: This week’s blog has no deeper purpose than to muse on favorite sounds. Anyone looking for words of wisdom, a shoulder to cry on, or helpful technical information should read something else and come back next week. The rest of you, read on. On TV the other day, an announcer said how much she just lo-o-oved a particular sound—probably

Featured image for “A HoH’s Credo”

A HoH’s Credo

When I was young and went to church more regularly than I do now, I thought the Credo was a nice poem that we recited to express what we were supposed to believe as Canadian Presbyterians. This Credo was especially helpful, because if you weren’t sure of what you believed, or forgot a detail, you could look it up at

Featured image for “Hearing Loss – A Load of Laughs”

Hearing Loss – A Load of Laughs

Hearing loss isn’t funny. Not to the person who has it, anyway. Some hearing loss moments can spark a smile or a giggle or even a laugh–although most of us will laugh later—like two months or so. That’s when you’ll tell the story of being in a group conversation and someone says “I just hate bugs” and you put down

Featured image for “A Story of Hearing Loss”

A Story of Hearing Loss

My name is Shari Eberts and I have a hearing loss. This is a simple statement, but one that is 20 years in the making. It has taken me some time to accept my hearing loss, and to stop hiding it. I have now come full circle and consider myself a hearing health advocate! I even write a blog to

Featured image for “An Idiot’s Guide to the Pinna (Outer Ear)”

An Idiot’s Guide to the Pinna (Outer Ear)

Have you ever stared at something so familiar—a sight you’ve seen a thousand times a day, every day of your life—for so long and so hard that all of a sudden it looks different? It’s as if you’re seeing it for the first time, and it looks bizarre! This is the pinna, the flap on the side of the head that comes in pairs,

Featured image for “Having a Bad Hearing Day?”

Having a Bad Hearing Day?

Ever had one of those days? A day that is pocked, from sunrise to moonrise, with hearing faux pas and embarrassing moments? A day when, no matter what the situation or conversation, communication brings more pain than pleasure? A day that tempts you to hide from all human interaction—forever? You know you’re having a bad hearing day when: You’re missing

Upholding the Family (Hearing Aid) Tradition

My guest writer this week is David Drake, the founder and headmaster of the White Oak School in Westfield, Massachusetts, a school serving bright students with dyslexia and related learning disabilities. He lives with his family in Northampton. Pharmacie-Marseille.com by David Drake I’m pretty sure I come from a line of serial hearing-aid abusers. My grandfather’s hearing aids were