Tag Archives: Hearing Technology

Cochlear Implant Evaluations: What To Expect, What to Ask

In past articles, I’ve discussed the cochlear implant process from candidacy to activation and beyond.  But what actually happens in a candidacy evaluation?  How do the professionals on your cochlear implant team decide who is a good candidate for the device?  What do all of these appointments really mean, and what questions should informed patientsContinue reading “Cochlear Implant Evaluations: What To Expect, What to Ask”

Plateaus, Valleys, Plains and Mountains: Measuring Progress

We know that getting a cochlear implant is not an instant fix.  Speech, language, and listening skills do not magically appear after activation, and progress is on everyone’s minds.  How does progress happen?  How much is enough?  How fast?  What should we do if things aren’t working out as planned?  

Hearing with Two Ears: A Balancing Act

There are a lot of reasons, research, and rationale to support the need for bilateral amplification for people with hearing loss.  It’s pretty much a “given” at this point in our field, though, sadly, there are still some insurance companies and even hearing healthcare professionals who lag behind the curve.  What should you consider ifContinue reading “Hearing with Two Ears: A Balancing Act”

Safety for People with Hearing Loss

Hearing technology can provide incredible access to sound for speech, language, cognitive, and social development.  However, one of the most basic reasons people choose hearing aids, cochlear implants, or Baha devices for themselves or for their children is more essential: SAFETY.  Awareness of environmental sounds for alerting and personal protection is one of the greatestContinue reading “Safety for People with Hearing Loss”

Success on the Job for Employees with Hearing Loss

Whether you’ve been hard of hearing all your life or are adjusting to life as a late-deafened adult, navigating the workforce with hearing loss can be a challenge.  How can you manage job interviews, communication challenges on the job, and determine appropriate accommodations?

Map Your Way to Better Speech

Common “knowledge” says that hearing happens with the ears and speech happens with the mouth, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.  In reality, the loop between our ears, brain, and mouth creates an integrated cycle.  We only speak as well as we hear, and we only hear as well as our brain processesContinue reading “Map Your Way to Better Speech”

Celebrating Hearing Birthdays

Hearing is an incredible gift, and one that people with hearing loss and their families do not take for granted.  Here are some ideas for how to make your “Hearing Birthday” (the anniversary of your/your child’s CI activation or the day you/your child received HAs or Baha) special.

Cochlear Implants, Residual Hearing, and Hybrid CIs

“When you get a cochlear implant, all of your natural hearing is destroyed.” This used to be the common wisdom: get a cochlear implant, forgo any residual hearing (hearing that you have without the use of hearing devices).  Today, however, less traumatic surgical techniques and improved electrode arrays have proven this to be untrue.  What is theContinue reading “Cochlear Implants, Residual Hearing, and Hybrid CIs”

FAQs about Hearing Loss, Hearing Technology, and Auditory Verbal Therapy

When you meet someone new, one of the first questions we tend to ask is, “What do you do?”  When I tell people that I teach children with hearing loss to listen and speak, it’s a real conversation starter.  Here are some of my most frequently asked questions about hearing loss, hearing technology, and Auditory VerbalContinue reading “FAQs about Hearing Loss, Hearing Technology, and Auditory Verbal Therapy”