I was a high school senior when I got the news that my moderate to severe, bilateral, congenital hearing loss had just got worse (genetic, 60-85 dB loss in both ears). “Discrimination dropped from 82% to 15% in her left ear and 72% to 12% in the right ear...” the audiologist reported, confirming my sudden, significant drop in hearing. Though I could hear the difference, I couldn’t believe it. The words stung more than I could have ever imagined.
The Challenge of Hearing Well in Background Noise
What is important to know is that hearing—and understanding— speech in the presence of background noise is a complex physiological process. Wearing a hearing aid can usually improve the way sounds are presented to the ear, but it cannot change the way your brain processes the signal your ear receives.
Accessing 911 in a Crisis: An Emerging Tool for the Deaf
The ability to communicate with the authorities by text in an emergency is limited to less than 10 percent of the U.S., says Scott Carlton, the creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness in New York City. Carlton is one of the masterminds behind Deaf 911, an emergency mobile app that gives people who are deaf or hard of hearing a voice when they need it most. Carlton doesn’t have a hearing loss, but his grandmother, with whom he was close, was profoundly deaf.
Managing Hearing Loss in the Time of COVID-19
Frequent, proper handwashing, hand sanitizer use, and not touching your face were the early health and safety directives as the COVID-19 pandemic spread from country to country and then state to state. In the past few weeks, social distancing and face masks became the next tools in helping to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. Both are particular challenges for those with and without hearing challenges.
The Challenges of Masks With Hearing Loss
During the COVID-19 pandemic, audiologists and other hearing healthcare professionals are concerned about our patients. With social distancing, we are communicating at a distance of six feet which is difficult if not impossible with a loss of hearing.
My Hearing Aids Got Wet: Now What?
Whether you are new to hearing aids or have worn them for years, one thing nearly all hearing aid wearers know is that these highly advanced technological devices can be damaged by moisture. Here is what to do if your hearing aids get wet.
10 Clues Your Child Has a Hearing Loss
Universal hearing screening for newborns has helped to identify most children with hearing issues quickly and accurately. With simple tests, 80 to 90 percent of hearing loss can be detected, and children can begin early intervention with the best possible outcomes for language development.
Can I Get My Hearing Tested Online?
Online hearing tests, or tests you take yourself using a computer or smartphone, are becoming more prevalent and popular, especially alongside the market for “hearables” (smart wireless earbuds). With over-the-counter hearing aids set to become available soon, these tests that can be convenient to take at home are likely to proliferate even more.
95 Percent Favor Hearing Loss Transparency at Work, Poll Shows
While employers in the U.S. are legally required to provide accommodations for an employee’s hearing loss under the Americans with Disabilities Act, discrimination against applicants and workers with hearing loss remains a significant barrier.
A New Gift for Our Supporters
In 2019, Hearing Health Foundation (HHF) made significant advancements toward new treatments and cures for hearing loss, tinnitus, and related conditions — and we couldn’t have done it without your support. To thank you for your generosity, we’re excited to help you and your loved ones prepare for your future.