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
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 […]
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. […]