Chronicles of a deaf Audiologist
Rehabilitation beyond hearing aids and cochlear implants: lipreading instruction, brain/auditory training and communication strategies.
Success for Hearing Better
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From the chronicles
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 […]
Why it’s important to slow down when talking to people with hearing loss
When you are talking to a person with hearing loss, it’s really important to slow down. Why? Your words run together when you talk fast. Here’s an example. Let’s say you are commenting on some brownies that I made, and I thought you said, “It’s awfully chewy.” When you actually said, “It’s soft and chewy.” […]
Christmas wish list for people with hearing loss
Music sets the mood at a party, but please turn it down once it’s in full swing so people with hearing loss (PWHL) can enjoy conversations and connections. Slowing down when speaking makes it easier to understand you—thank you! Another wish list item is hearing care professionals who recognize that auditory training is an essential […]
Four Things not to do as a person with hearing loss at a party
Assume that others remember that you have hearing loss: as a PWHL (person with hearing loss), expect that you will have to tell people more than once about your hearing loss and your communication needs. People will forget that you have hearing loss. We’re human, and human beings forget. Also, people are more focused on […]
Fix Bluetooth connectivity problems with hearing aids and cochlear implants
Did you know that a frequent reason for calls to hearing aid clinics is issues with Bluetooth connectivity? Here are my top three troubleshooting tips: #1 For cochlear implants, when you change the batteries, or for hearing aids, when you close the battery door or pull the hearing aids out of the charger, make sure […]