Progress is being made. People walk around with all sorts of things hanging out of their ears these days, and nobody bats an eye. Apple and other consumer brands have entered the hearing technology space. Captions are everywhere. It's a better time to have hearing loss than ever before. And yet, the stigma remains. The Joke that Never Gets Old (except it does) Unlike other disabilities, hearing loss is still routinely used as the punchline of the joke — a lazy shorthand to make a character look foolish, out of touch, or old.

Last month I stood in front of a room full of PhD-level hearing scientists and told them what hearing loss actually feels like from the inside — something they spend their careers studying but that many of them may never fully experience. These are the people studying the hair cells, synapses, and biological machinery of hearing—the researchers whose work may one day lead to treatments and cures that people like you and me can only dream about. For one hour, my job was to describe the reality they are working so hard to change.

Sweating in the hot yoga room, I work to hold the posture. I fall out, but try again. And again. It's a difficult practice, so struggle is to be expected. The teacher reminds us to focus on our breath. We can't control the heat, or how long she holds the postures, but we can control our response—and that's what helps us stay calm and focused amid the challenge. I breathe in and out slowly—4 to 6 counts for my inhale, 4 to 6 counts for my exhale. I call it my yoga breathing, and it helps me deal with stressful situations both on and off my yoga mat.

I recently returned from the World Congress of Audiology in Seoul, where I presented on the importance and impact of including the voices of people living with hearing loss in audiologist training. I also shared two posters, one on the skills it takes to live well with hearing loss and another on what person-centered care really looks like from our side of the exam chair. I'll share more information about those in a later post. The conference was wonderful! I always enjoy sharing the patient perspective with the audiologist community, and this time was no exception.

I spent years hiding my hearing loss. I was embarrassed by it, determined to keep it invisible. Then I became a mother — and everything changed. My story actually begins with my father. As a child, I watched him struggle silently with his own hearing issues — growing his hair long to cover his ears, retreating to the corner at family parties, sometimes with his back to the room. I didn't fully understand it then. But when I started losing my own hearing in my mid-20s, I did. He was probably exhausted from concentrating so hard just to follow a conversation.

I just returned from the American Academy of Audiology's annual conference, where I had the opportunity to present on one of my favorite topics: how our attitudes about hearing loss shape everything — our confidence, our relationships, our willingness to try new tools, and ultimately, how well we actually do living with it. It's a key part of the equation for living skillfully with hearing loss that Gael Hannan and I lay out in our book "Hear & Beyond: Live Skillfully with Hearing Loss." Here's a brief recap of the presentation.

It was a blustery day—the kind where trees bend sideways, and you pull your jacket tighter before you've even stepped outside. I was out for a walk, something I try to do daily for both my physical and mental health, when the gusts intensified. The wind howled around me, a relentless roar that seemed to come from every direction at once.

I love sound. The wind whistling in the leaves, the ocean crashing on the beach, the birds singing in the trees, or even the buzz of New York City traffic. At the right time and in reasonable amounts, each murmur, hum, or note provides a soothing backdrop to my life. The soundtrack orients me. It keeps me focused and helps my mind stay alert to the present moment.

"Complementary earplugs for anyone who is sound sensitive!" the bright colored sign proclaimed at the check-in table for the Sunday matinee of The Rocky Horror Show. "Oh no," I immediately thought, "this must be a loud one." But then I felt relieved. At least this venue is aware of the dangers and is providing free ear protection for those smart enough to take advantage.

Thank you for making our community a welcoming and enriching environment for more than 10 years! 2025 has been another busy year of writing, speaking, and hearing access consulting! And of course, We Hear You screenings and Hear & Beyond book signings! I look forward to many more events in the future! Most Viewed Posts of 2025…

Make this holiday season more hearing-loss-friendly with practical tips to reduce stress, prevent listening fatigue, and stay connected with family and friends. Key Takeaways 🎄 Plan ahead to set yourself up for communication success. 🕯️ Create spaces that support communication—good lighting, low noise, and smart tech. 💬 Speak up about your needs and don’t fake understanding. ☕ Take breaks and practice self-care to minimize…

Do you ever get hearing loss exhaustion? I sometimes do — especially on days that demand extra listening. Conferences, family gatherings, even long dinners out can leave me completely spent. When everyone talks at once, my focus vanishes fast. Once, I walked out of an event just to save my sanity. I now refer to it as the Circle of Hearing Hell.

"Turn on some music. It will help me hear you better," said no one ever who has hearing loss. But, maybe that isn't right. When the background is too quiet, people tend to lower their voices and speak in hushed tones. Think of a library or a quiet reception area at a doctor's office. In a louder space like a bar or coffeehouse, people instinctively raise their voices to be heard above the background noise.

There are many things to love about Hawaii. Amazing sunsets. Incredible snorkeling. The aloha spirit of its residents. And captions at the airport. Wait! I hadn't expected that last one! I love Hawaii, so it is always with a heavy heart that I return to the airport for the long flight back to New York. Arriving at the gate, I often notice something special.

Conversing with someone with hearing loss can sometimes take a little extra work, especially in a noisy or challenging listening environment. But it's certainly not impossible! Following a few communication do's and don'ts can help turn a stilted and awkward dialogue into a conversation that is satisfying and fun...for both sides. How People with Hearing Loss Hear A critical step in improving conversation is to understand how those of us with hearing loss process speech.

Hearing loss is tough for the person who has it, but it can also be frustrating for friends and family. Many of the behavioral changes needed to make communication easier — facing the person with hearing loss, speaking one at a time, enunciating in a clear and steady voice — are up to them. This can be exhausting, especially if this takes them outside of their normal speech pattern.

Do you meditate? Sometimes people with hearing loss find it challenging, especially if the meditation is guided, meaning that we must follow along while someone is speaking. If we close our eyes, we may miss the meaning, and while Bluetooth connections allow for some guided meditations to broadcast directly into our devices, this may not be relaxing for some. Recently, I discovered a new option: a guided meditation created specifically for people with hearing loss.

Are you having trouble opening your hearing aid batteries? If so, this may be due to Reese's Law, which went into effect in March of 2024. In 2020, Reese Hamsmith tragically lost her life after swallowing a button battery. Reese's Law, which mandates child-resistant packaging for all button batteries, including hearing aid batteries, was passed in her honor. The new packaging requires users to cut it open with scissors, which can be challenging, and perhaps even dangerous, for people with hearing loss who also have limited dexterity, vision loss, or other disabilities.

It's your birthday. Over dinner, your partner tries to whisper sweet nothings into your ear. A romantic moment for some, but not for everyone. Should you smile and nod or ask them to back up so you can watch their lips moving? You're at a cocktail party, and it's too loud for anyone to hear above the background din. Your friend leans in to speak into your ear, but you shift back to better see their face.

Have you missed your name being called at the doctor's office? What about when visiting your hearing care provider? Sadly, this is a common occurrence for people with hearing loss, who must either sit at high attention constantly scanning the waiting area for someone who might be saying their name or risk missing out. Even in a small office, it can be difficult for people with hearing loss to know when it is their turn to be seen.

Discover the impact of our film about hearing loss, 'We Hear You,' and how it brings communities together to share their stories.

Discover Google's Expressive Captions: the AI-powered tool that goes beyond words to express tone, volume, and emotions in captions.

Captions are an essential communication tool. They help us understand what words people are saying, environmental sounds like a door slamming, or if there is music playing. But captions could do more to express the emotional context behind what is being said. Launched on Android phones in December, Google's Expressive Captions aims to do just that. What are Expressive Captions? …

Celebrate World Hearing Day 2025! Learn how to empower yourself and advocate for better ear and hearing care.

The World Health Organization (WHO) named March 3rd World Hearing Day, aiming to raise awareness about hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care globally. This year's theme is "Changing Mindsets: empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all." It is a powerful theme because it puts the person with hearing loss in the driver's seat, acknowledging that the attitudes we hold about our hearing loss and the actions we take to advocate for ourselves are key to how well we live with it.

Sound is an important component of health and happiness, but with hearing loss, sometimes things are too quiet. Other times too loud. It's complicated!

While there is no cure for tinnitus, don’t tell patients there is nothing they can do. Many options exist to help ease the burden. A Case Study: Are You Helping Your Clients Manage Tinnitus? Mary has hearing loss, and also tinnitus. Sometimes it sounds like a screech. Other times, it’s more of a buzz. She finds the tinnitus distressing, even more than her hearing loss, and she is terrified because its volume is increasing.

If someone has trouble with their hearing or cannot convince a family member to get their hearing tested, I am usually their first call.

Imagine a wellness retreat where classes are designed for everyone, including people with hearing loss. One center aims to do just that.

The 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was a blast! In recent years, accessibility, including hearing tech, has been front and center. This year was no exception. Many hearing tech products were on ...

The critical need for funding in hearing research. Support the cause to find innovative solutions for those living with hearing loss.

You are not alone this holiday season. The hearing loss community is here to support you. We hope “Hear & Beyond” is part of that for you.

The holiday season can be a mixed blessing with hearing loss, but there are ways to make it work. Tip #1: Plan Ahead