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.

Best of The Better Hearing Consumer: Some Shocking Truths About Hearing Loss

I’m on holidays for a few weeks, but am pleased to offer this popular post in case you missed it the first time around – Some Shocking Truths About Hearing Loss Hearing loss is one of those gifts that keeps on giving. Once you have it, your hearing loss presents itself to you, every day, in

What Hearing Loss Research Tells Me About Me

Almost every day I read about a new hearing loss study, research or statistics. Most of them sound exciting and others are single-eyebrow-raising, such as surveys announcing how many of us actually have hearing loss. The stats for the overall population seem to fluctuate a great deal, from the often-quoted but urban myth of 10% to between 16-25%. Why the

A Vacation from My Hearing Loss

I’m packing for a month at the lake – but one thing I’m not taking with me is my hearing loss. Yup, I’ve made up my mind. I’m taking a break from the stress, the demands and the accommodations that are the fabric of my personal hearing loss life. No, I won’t be trying to pass myself off as ‘hearing.’

Featured image for “Am I Responsible for My Mother-in-Law’s Communication?”

Am I Responsible for My Mother-in-Law’s Communication?

From Gael Hannan: This week’s blog is an interesting and emotional reflection written for a class assignment by Jacqueline Arsenault, a Speech-Language Pathology Masters student at the University of Toronto. It was partly inspired by my workshop on bluffing, The Masks of Hearing Loss (Bluffing 101), which I had presented to her Aural Rehabilitation class, a course taught by my

Hot Tips for Cool Summer Hearing

Summer’s here, whoo-hoo! Hot weather, summer rain, swimming, fresh air parties, and simply being outside. What’s not to love about summer? Well, there’s bugs. Heat rash. Sunburn. Bad pedicures. And to be even more of a wet blanket, all that fabulous summer living poses a threat to both our hearing and our hearing devices, with Loud Noise and Moisture sharing

My Friend Betty, Extraordinary Person with Hearing Loss

Next week I’m going to Portland for the annual Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Convention, and I can’t wait. Forgive me for being corny, but my absolute favorite part of the event is chatting with amazing people, who come from everywhere, with heart-rending and hilarious stories to share and a willingness to listen to yours. Betty Coombs is one

Featured image for “A HoH and Her Shiny New Bike”

A HoH and Her Shiny New Bike

I have a shiny new bike. It’s pale green and pretty and has 15 gears, although I don’t know what to do with 12 of them. It has a ringy-dingy bicycle bell which other riders can hear a mile away. But when I push the lever, I can only feel the vibrations. Even with my ear almost on top of

Advice From a Hard of Hearing Grandma

They say the best part of being a parent is becoming a grandparent. I’m sure that’s true for many people, but as a new grandma I’m still ironing out some of the kinks. (Note: Although my husband and I have only one 17-year-old child together, he is the father of four, one of whom made me an earlier-than-expected grandmother. They

I Want My Music Back

As a hearing aid user, I want to enjoy music the way other people do – clearly and on demand. Whom should I ask about this – my audiologist, a hearing aid manufacturer, or the government who helps me pay for hearing aids? All three, maybe? As my hearing loss progressed through the years, so did my music loss. and

How Old is Your Hearing Loss?

“Were you born with ‘it’?” I get this question a lot when I, and my hearing loss, meet someone for the first time. Sometimes they ask hesitantly, not sure what to call ‘the problem’, which they indicate with little finger jabs at their own ear. Talking about hearing loss is usually one of my favorite things to do, and I’m