It is hard to explain to others what it is like to have hearing loss — the lack of clarity in speech, the sensitivity to loud noise, and the exhaustion that comes with heavy bursts of communication. It is an invisible disability so it is often misunderstood, downplayed or even ignored — sometimes even by those closest to Continue reading
Break the Stigma
Communication Tips For All From Someone With Hearing Loss
I attended my first Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Board meeting a few months ago. It was exciting to learn about all the important initiatives that are underway and fun to spend time with other people with hearing loss. Before I left home, I wondered how it would be possible for 14 people, all with varying Continue reading
Five Ways To Make Holiday Parties More Hearing Loss Friendly
The holidays can be rough for people with hearing loss. Seeing friends and family is nice, but holiday gatherings tend to be larger and louder and often occur one after the other. It can be exhausting and overwhelming, and even depressing to watch others celebrate when you feel like you cannot participate in the way Continue reading
Breaking the Stigma of Hearing Loss – The Who, What, Why and How
We must break the stigma that surrounds hearing loss. It is a matter of life and mind — your mind. Research shows that people with a mild hearing loss are twice as likely to develop dementia as those with normal hearing, and this risk increases with the severity of the hearing loss. Over a six-year Continue reading
I No Longer Feel Shame About My Hearing Loss
I am proud to have my hearing loss story featured on Good Housekeeping’s online edition. Please click through to support media coverage of hearing loss issues. It’s an invisible disability and generally easy to hide, at least physically, so why should I discuss it? That’s what I convinced myself. I can hear well enough anyway, most of the Continue reading
