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.
Areas of interest for hearing improvement
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From the chronicles
Learn how to read lips No. 21
Almost anyone can read lips if they have enough context! Try it out with the short video below. Check out my free Lipreading Challenge on YouTube.
Learn how to read lips No. 20
It’s surprisingly effective to work on your substitution skills when learning how to read lips. First of all, you become more aware of which sounds look the same. Also, you improve your ability to switch gears, in real time. Try it out in the video below. Check out my free Lipreading Challenge on YouTube! […]
Can you wiggle your ears?
Millions of years ago, our ancestors used the auricular muscles to move their ears towards sounds. Perhaps these muscles are redundant now because modern humans predominantly depend on visual and verbal communication. A Frontiers in Neuroscience study found that these muscles still activate in some people when listening gets challenging, especially the superior auricular muscles. […]
Learn how to read lips No. 19
A superpower when it comes to reading lips is the ability to use the context. As we get older, we become more skilled in using context. The topic is a major clue about the context. Ways to ask for context and the topic are discussed in my free Lipreading Challenge on YouTube. In the meantime, […]
Learn how to read lips No. 18
Lipreading is a skill that you can practice in everyday conversations! Substitution is an essential aspect of skill development. Watch the video as I explain. Check out my free Lipreading Challenge on YouTube!
Study shows lipreading helps you to hear better in noisy situations
Understanding speech in noisy environments is a common issue with hearing loss. Since hearing aids can’t always solve this problem, it’s important to explore other options. A research study looked at whether lipreading training could help people understand speech in noisy settings. Before and after the training, participants took a speech-in-noise test that mimicked […]
Reducing social isolation due to hearing loss
Hearing loss can lead to social isolation due to communication difficulties and withdrawal behaviours. Support from hearing care professionals can help normalize these feelings. The process starts with PWHL (people with hearing loss) meeting others with similar experiences, reducing feelings of isolation. In the second stage, PWHL practice communication strategies with those with normal hearing, […]
Learning How to Read Lips No. 17
Substitution practice is surprisingly important in increasing your accuracy as a lip reader. ANSWER: Some smells are indeed magical, but the more probable choice is “spell.” Related post: Learning how to read lips No. 16
When your partner has hearing loss
Research shows that partners tend to respond more favourably to people with hearing loss (PWHL) who ask specific questions (“Did you say…?”) instead of “What?” or “Huh?” The strategy chosen by the partner is even more important. The most common strategy is repetition. Rephrasing or confirming what you have said may be more effective if […]
Should you talk about hearing loss in a job interview?
When I was in my twenties, I started a summer job as a chambermaid at a Bed and Breakfast. I was excited to live at the B&B with a great view of Halifax harbour. But on my first day, the owner started my training by showing me the phone system (this was in the days […]