In this new climate, remote care and telehealth are helping audiologists bridge the gap of hearing healthcare accessibility. Among our network of clinics across the United Kingdom, immediate challenges included a lack of equipment, online accessibility, and experience offering telehealth. We also found that generally only premium hearing aid models included embedded remote care features, so that this service was not available to everyone.
Do the Best You Can Until You Know Better
There’s a quote I like by the writer, Maya Angelou: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” So I got up off the mat, brushed myself off, mask in place, and put one foot in front of the other. I then went back to that drugstore and simply, in silence, found what I needed.
Distance Learning With a Hearing Loss
In the classroom, Alex has a captionist who ensures that he gets most of what the teacher is saying. He also carries a small microphone, or mini mic, for teachers to talk into so that their speech streams directly into his hearing aid and CI. Together, these two tactics were by no means perfect, but they worked for Alex. Unfortunately, like every other student across the world, Alex’s in-person education routine was interrupted a few months ago.
A Request for Supplemental Funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Beyond funding groundbreaking hearing loss research, Hearing Health Foundation (HHF) also promotes hearing health through a variety of channels, including outreach to legislators. In June 2020, HHF and eight other member organizations of the Friends of the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus authored a letter to Congress to urge supplemental funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
New Connections
I am remaining social and engaged in the world from the safety and comfort of my home. This is so important to do when you have a hearing loss. For almost three decades—since I was in my early 50s working as a secretary in a bank—I’ve so appreciated the value of hearing aids to stay connected and to be able to function. Now, I’m feeling immensely grateful for electronic communication, too.
The Challenge of Communication During the Pandemic and Beyond
In New York City, we are required to wear face coverings in public and practice social distancing to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Non-essential work, like my own part-time job as an educational researcher for a university, must be completed remotely. With these vital public health measures emerge new challenges for people with hearing loss, and I’m advocating for myself and creating solutions when and where I am able.
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.
During COVID-19, HHF Remains Committed to You
Rest assured that HHF remains committed to funding innovative science to prevent, treat, and cure hearing and balance disorders. The staff, Board of Directors, advisory bodies, researchers, and volunteers are working tirelessly to ensure operations continue as fully as possible under these unprecedented circumstances.