Chronicles of a deaf Audiologist
Rehabilitation beyond hearing aids and cochlear implants: lipreading instruction, brain/auditory training and communication strategies.
Success for Hearing Better
HEARa is dedicated to the idea that people need the right information, at the right times, to be successful with hearing loss. HEARa’s mission is to reach out to adults with hearing loss and say—keep going. Learning about your hearing loss should be a lifelong process.
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From the chronicles
My amazing hearing ear dog guide
My hearing ear dog’s name is Chanty. Her ability to transition from sleeping to running in response to a sound is amazing! I need her help mostly at night when I am not wearing my hearing devices. Hearing ear dogs are typically high energy due to their need to respond swiftly to brief sounds. After […]
This is challenging for people with hearing loss
A common pattern is that a talker will speak louder or slow down for the first part of a conversation, but then revert to their normal way of speaking soon after. This happens because people focus more on what they are saying than how they are saying it. So, what is the solution? Communication is […]
Hearing health in musicians
Musicians are aware of hearing health risks but lack sufficient discussion on the topic. A survey of 771 musicians revealed that while they recognize the necessity of hearing protection, they have concerns about its impact on performance quality. This indicates a need for more guidance and training to ensure effective protective measures without compromising musical […]
Learn how to read lips No. 15
When you are learning how to read lips, it can be helpful to know which sounds look alike. Sometimes you don’t hear a word because of background noise, but you do see it. If you know which sounds look alike, you can do a quick substitution in your mind when the first thing you see […]
Cold and hot water sound different–why?
While they may look identical, hot and cold water make different sounds when poured. Temperature affects water’s thickness. At lower temperatures, water molecules create temporary bonds that thicken the liquid, producing a lower-frequency sound when poured. Conversely, heated water molecules are more energetic, making it harder for molecules to join together. Fewer bonds result in thinner water, which produces […]
When confirming that a person with hearing loss understands you
When confirming understanding with PWHL (people with hearing loss), avoid yes/no questions, such as “Do you understand?” These questions can be answered with a yes, without revealing whether the person actually understood what you said. Yes/No questions can also put pressure on the person to say yes, out of politeness, fear, or embarrassment, even if […]
Cochlear implant sound quality
The sound quality with my cochlear implant (CI) was clear from the first day. I started an auditory training program as soon as I got home from my activation appointment. Each day I noticed improvements. My eyes were shining! I was beyond happy. Regarding the study described in the reel, the 255 people wore […]
Don’t say “Never Mind” to a person with hearing loss (PWHL)
When you say “Never Mind,” it might seem insignificant and not worth repeating. But consider being on the receiving end of “Never Mind” over and over. It starts to sting after a while. Instead, try saying, “It’s no longer important.” The words we choose matter. So does the tone. Related post: Lipreading tip
Overhearing is hard to do when you have hearing loss
Overhearing is hard to do when you have hearing loss. This is particularly impactful for children, since most new vocabulary words are learned by overhearing them. So, what’s the solution? 👉Explicit Vocabulary Teaching ✅ Pre-teaching vocab helps prep the brain. Ask the daycare/preschool/school for upcoming themes and use books, word cards, and pictures […]
Lipreading tip: try substituting
When you are learning how to read lips, it can be helpful to know which sounds look alike. Sometimes you don’t hear a word because of background noise, but you do see it. If you know which sounds look alike, you can do a quick substitution in your mind when the first thing you see […]