Hearing loss advocacy hits TEDx! Congratulations to HLAA adviser and hearing loop advocate Juliëtte Sterkens, Au.D. Her TEDxOshkosh talk, Hearing Loss: Beyond Hearing Aids, has over 225k views on the national TEDx Talks YouTube channel and views continue to grow! In the 18-minute talk, Juliëtte explains what it is like to listen with hearing aids and details Continue reading
Break the Stigma
Don’t Get Pickled: Hearing Loss & Pickleball
“Don’t get pickled!” the clinic leader advised with a smile. It was my first time playing pickleball, the new sport craze taking over the nation. Getting pickled means you lose 11-0—a shutout. Despite the leader’s warning, my team was pickled twice that first day. Oh, well. There was no where to go but up! Learning Continue reading
Changing Mindsets about Hearing Loss
Societal misperceptions about hearing loss can prevent people from seeking the help that they need. And even when we do look for help, our doctors may minimize the condition, sidelining it as a normal part of aging. The same goes for policy makers who have historically left hearing care out of many public insurance plans. Continue reading
Interesting Reads: Soundtrack of Silence by Matt Hay
Sharing stories of loss and resilience help us feel connected. They give us strength and teach us tricks for living better with our challenges. Most importantly, they help us feel less alone. Matt Hay’s story, which he eloquently shares in his new book Soundtrack of Silence, is no exception. I met Matt in the early Continue reading
Greater Awareness Creates Better Access
My yoga practice often translates directly to my life with hearing loss—especially when it is challenging. In a recent yoga class, as the teacher provided different modification options for a difficult pose she said, “When you have greater awareness, you have more options.” And something clicked. Whether it is yoga or hearing loss (or anything Continue reading
