Coping Strategies for Hearing Loss

Yoga For People With Hearing Loss

Shari Eberts Advocacy, Community, Coping Strategies for Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss , ,

Yoga combines physical poses with the philosophy of patience and self-acceptance. Its health benefits include developing stronger muscles, better balance, and increased flexibility. A robust yoga practice can also help people cope with the day-to-day frustrations of living with hearing loss. When combined with meditation, it can also help minimize tinnitus symptoms.

People with hearing loss may be skeptical about trying yoga. They wonder if they will be able to hear the instructor well enough to follow along in a class or if their devices will fall off when performing different yoga poses. These are real concerns, but the following tips should help you enjoy your yoga practice even when you have hearing loss.

Living With Hearing Loss | A Hearing Loss Blog

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The Time I Could Hear Better Than My Hearing Family

Shari Eberts Advocacy, Break the Stigma, Coping Strategies for Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss , ,

Sometimes in difficult listening situations, I hear better than my hearing family. It is probably because I am skilled at lipreading, attentive to visual clues, and use other communication strategies to enhance my hearing, while my family typically just hears without having to do much of anything else. But not this one time.

We were visiting a Bedouin community in the Negev desert for a camel ride and to learn more about Bedouin culture. We were lucky to have one of the leaders of the community speak with our group to explain the customs and culture of this nomadic people. The man was talking in an incredibly faint voice.

Living With Hearing Loss | A Hearing Loss Blog

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How Do You Imagine The Hearing Aid Of The Future?

Shari Eberts Audiology, Coping Strategies for Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss, Technology , , , ,

Hearing aid technology advances every day, but of course, those of us who wear hearing aids wish it would advance even faster. Today’s hearing aids range from simple analog devices to souped-up digital models with T-coils, multiple situational programs, rechargeable batteries and connectivity to smart phones. But the hearing aids of the future will likely offer even more features.

Here is my wish list. Please add your thoughts in the comments.

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When Your Family Worries More About Disturbing Others Than Helping You Hear

Shari Eberts Advocacy, Coping Strategies for Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss ,

It was a wonderful day on a recent family vacation filled with big adventures, beautiful weather and a great evening meal. It was time to relax on the hotel bar balcony to take in the view while enjoying a drink and dessert. We settled into our spot and suddenly everyone in my family started talking so quietly that I could no longer follow the conversation. There were a few other groups enjoying the balcony but overall, it was a quiet environment. Automatically, my family had dropped the volume of their voices to match the surrounding noise level.

This is a natural reaction, but for people with hearing loss, it doesn’t work. Things must be of a certain loudness in order for me to hear them — especially voices.

Living With Hearing Loss | A Hearing Loss Blog

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How Can Audiologists Help Their Patients Hear Their Best?

Shari Eberts Hearing Loss, Coping Strategies for Hearing Loss, Advocacy, Audiology , , ,

I recently presented a mini module at the American Academy of Audiology’s annual convention in Nashville. My talk was well attended and I received numerous comments and questions from the audience after the presentation. I am excited and grateful to have had the opportunity to share the patient’s perspective with such an impressive group of audiologists and related hearing professionals. Below I share my remarks from the meeting. I hope to have the opportunity to speak on this topic again soon.  

Living With Hearing Loss | A Hearing Loss Blog

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