Meandering Through A Hearing World

Learn More About Hearing Loss

In conversing with friends, I discovered we have the similar problem of how to fill our long afternoons during the pandemic. Some of these women are full of ideas and have adopted new hobbies such as reading the classics, learning a language, or ramping up their culinary skills, preparing gourmet Italian and French dishes. Though such hobbies appeal to me, I decided to spend my time improving my knowledge of hearing loss.

I’ve always been curious about the various aspects of hearing loss so my goal was to understand more about hearing loss medically, emotionally, and how hearing loss is treated. I used the internet and visited online sites that have information about ongoing research, the advances in technology, and new surgical techniques for cochlear implants.

I’ve started listening to webinars about hearing loss. During these sessions, I’ve learned that hearing loss affects so many aspects of our lives including how we make phone calls, listen to music, or do business. Hearing loss affects us emotionally. People who had normal hearing in their youth but developed hearing loss as adults have to make many adjustments in order to cope with their lives. It’s helpful to know how to ease the stress brought on by hearing loss.

How does one research hearing loss? Using online search engines such as Google is a good start. Keep in mind that hearing loss is a very broad subject. When using a search engine, it is better to enter specific words such as: what is the latest in hearing aid technology rather than typing in hearing loss.

You can visit the sites of Hearingloss.org, and Healthyhearing.com. Both have a cornucopia of articles about hearing loss. Medical sites such as WebMD, and the sites of medical centers such as Johns Hopkins and Mayo Clinic also have much information about hearing loss and treatment options. I’ve noticed that many audiologists post informational articles on their websites. Check out your audiologist’s online pages for hearing information. 

The websites of the major hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturers include a great deal of information about hearing loss, hearing aids, and implants. Visit the sites of Resound, Oticon, Signia, Phonak, Starkey, and Widex, for hearing aid information, and the websites of Cochlear, Med El, and Advanced Bionics for cochlear implant information.

For those who like to read, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other online booksellers are filled with many self-help titles and biographies written by people who suffer from hearing loss. Some of these sites allow you to review a free book sample.

Organizations such as Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA) have Zoom meetings and Webinars, which include a lineup of speakers, talking about various aspects of hearing loss. I’ve attended some of these sessions from the safety of my home and found that the talks were captioned. With my Made-For-IPhone hearing aids, I can connect directly to my iPhone or iPad and enjoy a good listening experience.

If you are lucky enough to have a local chapter of HLAA or ALDA near you, take advantage of what these organizations offer. I’ve noticed that many statewide and local chapters of these national organizations are meeting remotely and continuing their programs through the pandemic.

It is not easy to meander through the hearing world during this pandemic. If you suffer from, live with, or know someone with hearing loss, take the time to learn more about the problems of hearing loss, the available treatments, and the coping mechanisms.