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.

Driving, The Hard of Hearing Way

Being pulled over by the police has always been one of my secret dreads. Not because I’m hard of hearing, or carry illegal stuff in the trunk, but because I don’t want a policeman to be mad at me. Can’t help it; it’s the way I was raised, to respect the law. Little baby boomers playing in the streets would

Stories from My First Speechreading Class

In 1998, I joined 20 other people for a speechreading instructor-training program in Calgary. It sounded like fun; I could read lips and I figured I’d be good at it – and as the stay-at-home mom of a 2-year old, it seemed like a golden opportunity to get out of the house each week. The instructors-in-training, drawn from every Canadian province and territory,

Featured image for “The Truth About Mona”

The Truth About Mona

That smile, really just a slight curve of the lips. Are the eyes smiling too, or just watching someone? But who, and why? For hundreds of years, art lovers, kings and peasants have marveled at Mona Lisa’s beauty and pondered the source of the enigmatic smile. But I, immune to her romantic appeal, know why. Mona Lisa was hard of

Show Me (The Lips): A Rap Song for People With Hearing Loss

To really hammer home a message, find a unique way to express it. I came up with a new idea (maybe not a good idea, but definitely a new one) when I was talking about communication to a group of high school students with hearing loss. A tactful young fellow said that he liked my presentation a lot, but perhaps I should consider adding a little music to make it more interesting.

Featured image for “What I Didn’t Know About Hearing Aid Batteries”

What I Didn’t Know About Hearing Aid Batteries

When considering a blog about hearing aid batteries, I thought “What’s to write? When I put them in, I hear. When they sputter out, I don’t. I put in new batteries. End of boring story.” On second thought, I’ve been “doing” hearing aid batteries for 37 years (I started young), and I don’t usually think about them until there’s a

The Boy in the Yellow Sweatshirt: A Tale of Hearing Aid Advocacy

Has this happened to you? You’re talking to someone new and the communication is difficult. You say, “I’m hard of hearing (or use hearing aids); would you mind speaking up?” The person responds, “Oh, I’m a little, you know, harda-hearing, too. Well, not really. Just a bit, sort of, kind of.” “Oh, so you don’t use hearing aids?” “Oh gosh

Speaking of Hearing Loss: Optimism Overcoming Obstacles

The 16-year old boy, wearing two hearing aids and a serious expression, stepped up to the podium. “Good evening judges, parents, fellow speakers and hearing resource teachers. I would like to talk to you tonight about how my optimism helps me overcome my obstacles.” I was one of the judges and this was the opening bell of an emotional evening.

Running With Hearing Loss

I’m not much of an athlete. (For a more accurate statement, eliminate the ‘much of’.) But recently, when the scales told me it was time for some exercise, I decided to train for a 5-kilometre race (that’s 3 miles, in American). I want to be able to say, “I’m a runner” with that granola-smug look of marathoners and lose a

Confessions of A (Hard of Hearing) Loser

I lose things. Frequently. Single earrings and single gloves are favorite things to lose, but reading glasses and car keys are also high on the likely-to-go-missing list. My late mother would have said I lose things because I’m disorganized, but anyone would seem sloppy compared to my nurse/drill sergeant mom. And my husband might point to my desk half-covered with papers

If I Could Move Your Lips For You

If I could move your lips for you, I would. We’ve been friends forever and I can read your emotions, easily. But reading your words is tough because your lips don’t move, Not much. Friendships with new people, wonderful people, have not flourished Under the strain of communication, but You are my friend – I want to keep talking with you forever.