Better Hearing Consumer

People with hearing loss are unique.  We occupy an awkward place in this world that spins on the sounds of people, nature, and machines that most other people can hear and understand.  And it’s not always easy to explain what it’s like to be in that place. We are set apart, defined—not by choice, not by faith, gender, color, political views

Editor’s Note:  Job-related issues are a major area of concern for people with hearing loss everywhere.  In this article, Lisa Klop of Sivantos shares important information that is valuable even for those not covered by the American ADA.   by Lisa Klop, Au.D. When you have a disability you are likely to find yourself in situations where you have to

People with hearing loss – have you ever considered the time you’ve been wasting? If we no longer had hearing ‘issues’—if our hearing was suddenly and miraculously restored—what on earth would we do with all that extra time? How would we replace all those minutes and hours spent on the technology, rituals and emotions of hearing loss? When I was a

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language  And next year’s words await another voice.” T.S. Eliott, Four Quartets   (HoH: slang for person with hearing loss, derived from hard of hearing)   People with hearing loss must work hard to make communication a positive, not negative, element of their lives. There are things we have to do: processes to

      I am off on holidays this week, but hope you will enjoy this top post from 2015.       (Note:  Person with hearing loss = hard of hearing person = HoH)   She did it again—she started talking to me from another room.  His baseball cap shades his eyes, and I always have to ask him

I adore Christmas, especially the tingle-inducing music.  But this holiday season, I’m wondering—when did I lose the ability to sing it?  (Some in my family would tell you that I never had that ability, but they’re such kidders. They know I can sing well—if I manage to stay on key.) Growing up, I sang in Christmas choirs (being flanked fore and

Katherine Bouton is a renowned writer on hearing loss issues. This week, she looks at books that make great gifts for people affected by hearing loss.   You Have to Read This by Katherine Bouton   The holidays are upon us – and that means gifts. For your friends and family with hearing loss, I’d like to suggest a gift

“Gael, we’re going to give you a cochlear implant!” I looked at the doctor blankly for a moment. Then, “You are?” “Yes, we are.” He paused, “Do you want a CI?” And that was the moment my life changed – again. How did I really feel about getting a cochlear implant (CI)? For years I’d been told  that in spite of

I have a small bone to pick with people who can hear well. It’s not that I begrudge them their hearing—but do they have to be so show-offy about it? These people let you know when they hear a pin drop. They can understand what’s being said way over there. They can understand speech in noisy situations—on a roller coaster, for example. And that’s

It’s probably not an easy thing to learn that your two year-old daughter has permanent hearing loss. You worry, because she is also a sensitive child for whom the sky will be always bluer and the grass always greener than for some other people. That’s how my father, a few years ago, described my mother’s discovery that my willful behavior