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From the chronicles

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 […]

The effects of noise on health

I was so excited. A camping trip! A dear friend’s company, good food, and a campsite next to a lake. What the online map didn’t show, though, was a set of train tracks located on the other side of the lake. All night long the trains passed. As a deaf camper, I saw the lights […]

This is Chanty, my hearing ear dog

Do you know why you should not ask to pet a hearing ear dog? Sounds are very transient. While you pet her, Chanty is distracted. Even if it is a very short delay, Chanty may not be able to identify the location of a sound if the sound is no longer there. Then she doesn’t […]

Why hearing screening is important in children

In Canada and the U.S., the newborn hearing screening process has screened almost all births each year. So why do children need a hearing screening? After reviewing the medical records of 326 children who had hearing loss, a study found that not all children with hearing loss were detected by newborn hearing screening. First, not […]

finger pointing to phrase trying new things

Study shows gamers risk hearing loss

A survey of video gamers aged 18–35-years old found that more than three-quarters regularly engage in activities that can be detrimental to hearing, including 52% who use headphones for long periods or at loud volumes. Up to a third were aware of are already experiencing hearing loss. However, when informed of their risk for hearing […]

Multi-tasking affects balance in young adults with hearing loss

A research study looked at the effect of multi-tasking on young adults with hearing aids (HA). Subjects had to maintain balance under single-task (ST) and dual-task (DT) conditions. In the DT condition, there was a visual cognitive task (Backward Digit Recall) while standing on a force plate. (A force plate is an instrument that detects and […]

Are conversations affected by hearing loss?

What happens in a conversation between a younger adult with normal hearing, and an older adult with hearing loss? And what if the conversation is taking place in a relatively easy situation—in a quiet place, and a one-to-one interaction? A research study found that it depends—on whether the older adult is wearing hearing aids. The […]

Second chances through cochlear implant technology

There are risks involved in getting a cochlear implant. Inserting a cochlear implant destroys any residual hearing in the operated ear. Thus, one cannot go back to wearing a hearing aid if it doesn’t work out. The standard surgical risks of a cochlear implant are all quite rare. These include bleeding, infection, device malfunction, facial […]

Did you know that whales have earwax?

Guess how long a plug of wax would be from a whale’s ear?! Answer in the Comments of the YouTube video and I will let you know if you are right! Related post: Why you shouldn’t use Q-Tips for itchy ears