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
Learn how to read lips No. 23
I am always amazed at how well people can read lips when given enough context. Some people need more than others. The joy of discovery is just as strong when they figure it out. Try it out with this video! Related post: Learn how to read lips No. 22
Change your brain to hear better in noise
Researchers at Northwestern University demonstrated that the brain actually changed how it encodes pitch cues after auditory training with LACE. There was an enhancement in the transition between consonant and vowel sounds. Better speech-in-noise perception is directly linked to enhanced encoding of pitch cues in this transition period. These changes in the brain are lasting. […]
LACE AI Coaching Notes #3
With LACE AI Pro, there is no notification about an upcoming change in topic, which is the way conversations typically unfold in real life! For Rapid Speech and Speech in Noise activities, training will be easier if you keep an eye on the topic and when it is about to change. Conversely, you can make […]
Feelings of inadequacy with hearing loss
Both the mouse-dragging and water-overflowing incidents (in the video below) occurred within the past few months, with people I had just met. I got a “What’s wrong with you??” vibe both times. It may be real, it may be imagined. So, what’s the solution? For the person with hearing loss (PWHL): disclose your hearing […]
Not ready for hearing aids yet? You can still do something
Too often, when a mild hearing loss is diagnosed, and the person with hearing loss (PWHL) is not yet ready for hearing aids, the journey stops right there. Hear me out on this short video (53 seconds): The “synthetic” approach (see below) of the LACE AI program makes it a suitable choice for […]
LACE AI Pro Coaching Notes #2
I recommend setting up the familiar voice feature in LACE AI as soon as possible. It’s easy to do — see below. Training with a familiar voice changes the experience for me. For example, my nephew lives 3,000 km away and I see him but once a year. We often talk about words and language. […]
What the COVID pandemic meant for people with hearing loss
In the video below, I have summarized an interesting research study that looked at the impact of the COVID pandemic on people with hearing loss. During the COVID pandemic, I found myself bluffing—especially at the grocery store, with all the masks, background noise, and plastic barriers. I couldn’t understand a word. What finally helped? Just […]
LACE AI Coaching Notes #1
I recommend hitting the “Replay” button every time you miss the target sentence (just so you know, “Replay” only shows up after you see the answer). For the best results, do this every single time. Nobody’s watching. Press Replay again (and again) until you hear the target sentence. This is where learning happens! A research […]
Your ability to hear in noise is NOT fixed in stone
Hearing in noise is a skill that can be improved with training. That’s neuroplasticity in action! This skill of hearing in noise can be enhanced through targeted exercises. In my personal and professional life, I use the LACE AI Pro auditory training app. LACE AI Pro is the most clinically validated and peer-reviewed auditory training program […]
Learn how to read lips No. 22
When you are learning how to read lips, it’s amazing how much easier it is when you know the topic. The topic gives you context — now you know what vocabulary words to look for, and you can predict what people will say. The next time you’re trying to read lips, ask for the topic […]