My Experience With Sudden Hearing Loss
By Jessica Lasser As a speech pathologist and communication coach, part of my job is teaching communication workshops for people with hearing loss. I teach strategies to maximize communication in the face of hearing challenges. However, as a (relatively) young person with normal hearing, I didn’t expect to need to use these strategies myself anytime…
Why I Love the Nurtured Heart Approach in My work as a Speech-language Pathologist
Jennifer Dierenfeld You could have scrolled past this article on your feed, but you clicked to open it because something in you was curious about what it might say. How great is it that you honored that inkling within yourself, and you’re still here reading what I’ve written?! You are the greatness of discovering new…
What is Better Hearing and Speech Month?
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, an annual campaign that aims to highlight the importance of communication and raise awareness about hearing, speech and language disorders. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has helped to lead and celebrate this month-long initiative since 1927. What’s the Goal? The theme for Better Hearing and Speech Month changes…
Technology May Put Kids & Teens at Risk for Hearing Loss
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, “An estimated 12.5% of children and adolescents aged 6–19 years (approximately 5.2 million) have suffered permanent damage to their hearing from excessive exposure to noise.” Arguably one of the main sources of this noise exposure is your child’s technological devices. In this post, we review how loud…
Strategies to Enhance Communication
Successful communication between two conversational partners requires intentional efforts from all those involved. Our hearing makes it possible to identify environmental sounds, localize the source of sounds, understand speech and participate in conversations. Hearing loss may greatly impact one’s ability to actively follow and participate in conversations, especially in unfavorable listening environments. While hearing instruments…
Is There a Link Between Hearing Loss and Genetics?
Genetics are responsible for many things, such as our height and eye color. Our genes can also play a part in determining our risk for various health conditions, including hearing loss. Genetics, Hearing Loss and Infancy Most newborns are tested for hearing loss shortly after their birth during universal hearing aid screenings. While newborn hearing…
How to Play Sports with Hearing Aids
If you use hearing aids to treat your hearing loss, you might wonder if it’s safe to play sports with them on. The good news is, not only is it safe, but it can actually improve your experience! The Importance of Staying Active Staying physically active is essential to your health. Current guidelines recommend that…
Here’s How You Can Make the Most of Video Games with Hearing Loss
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, “One in eight people in the United States (13 percent, or 30 million) aged 12 years or older has hearing loss in both ears, based on standard hearing examinations.” If you’re among this population, you know that hearing loss can affect many aspects of…
What is a Directional Microphone?
Hearing loss makes it harder to both hear sounds as well as locate where they are coming from. Hearing aids with directional microphones can help! How Directional Microphones Make Hearing Aids Better As the name implies, directional microphones pick up sounds coming from specific directions. Some microphones are omnidirectional, which means that they collect every…
Ways To Prepare Your Toddler for a Hearing Test
Preparing your toddler for a hearing test may seem like a daunting endeavor. However, by preparing them ahead of time, you can make it an easier experience for everyone involved. How Common Is Pediatric Hearing Loss? While more common in older adults, hearing loss can happen at any age, including childhood. The Centers for Disease…