Age old stigmas and myths about hearing loss that don't go away
There is a great deal of misunderstanding about hearing loss. Stigmas and myths abound. Let's talk about it. What are your thoughts on this topic?
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Agreed. HLAA is a Godsend to me, and I have been a member for about 15 years. Working now on starting a coaching business for hearing challenges. Being an advocate is primary to learning what is helpful and necessary. Without hearing, we lose so much, and are putting ourselves at risk for early dementia, falls, and more. So important to try to help others. I am hoping my new business will bring people into the HLAA also.
@mickey5909
Hi,
There are a lot of apps for Android and IPhones. Try them out but don’t pay for any. I currently use Live Transcribe ( for androids only right now) , the free version of Otter and Voice to Text and occasionally TextHear Personal. Some fail me at times so I can switch to another app. What app are you using for your iPad?
FL Mary
@mickey5909 Try them they really help even when I could go into a store and talk with the clerks … depending on your phone… you may have to load and unload a few before finding the one that works best …Google them… and the Google Play store App has several.. K
Good luck to you. There's definitely a need for 'hearing loss coaching'. 🙂
@julieo4 "Hearing loss coaching", I like that ! Never heard that said. "mentoring" is what I've heard but I like the sound of "coaching' – it's more upbeat!
Once I purchased a black horn which you put up to your ear facing the person you want to hear and listen. It was supposed to be a gag gift for someone over 60. However, this thing works so well. I am tempted to get it out when I have soft speaking guests. (My son) Some people just will NOT TALK LOUDER! He will not! Anyway, I do wear hearing aids, they are large (not orange). I wish I knew how to post pictures. I would show you the black horn and the hearing aids. Woogie
I actually have a genuine ear horn from the early 1900s, that I use in presentations sometimes. You are right, it does work. It brings the sound direct to the person's ear IF the speaker talks into it. Funny, but that is the secret behind telecoils and hearing loops. Those built in t-coils bring the sound directly to the hearing aid while bypassing all background noise. Consequently, most people with hearing loss are able to hear well with that technology. Back in the day, they recognized that background noise was the culprit, even if it was ambient noise that is part of life. Isn't it a shame that the industry has marketed shame and denial for so many decades. Now it's all about hiding hearing loss with invisible devices .Back then when it showed, people knew what they had to do to connect. 🙂 Do you know there are ways to use a hand held or partner worn microphone with your hearing aids? If your son used one of those mikes you'd hear him. PS: Your purchase of that black horn for a friend who was getting older promotes another myth or stereotype about hearing loss: that hearing loss is a sign of old age. Yep, it is more common in older people, but many kids have it and many in their prime have it. I'm 'old' now, but sure wasn't when I was diagnosed at age 21. 🙂
Yes, indeed! It implies old age! The horn I purchased says: OVER THE HILL HEARING AID Directions: Hold small end to ear and hear. As I said, I found out how well they really work. My sister had blue tooth hearing aids. She passed away and my niece gave them to me. I am going to go to the Audiologist and have them fitted for me. I have been there before last February and he said yes! So, now, I have been hibernating for over a year. After I get my second vaccination, I will make the appointment to make it happen. What is your recommendation?
Julie, what exactly is it you do?
How I would love to see a photo of your black horn. I remember well my grandmother having one of those!
I definitely recommend that you follow through on that. Hearing aids will help you if they are programmed for your hearing loss. You are fortunate to have an audiologist who is willing to do that for you. It's a shame to toss hearing aids that can be repurposed. If they have BT, they are fairly new, so go for it.
Hard question to answer. I'm a retired educator and human service provider. I'm a consummate volunteer for The Hearing Loss Assn. of America, and do a lot of advocacy and education through HLAA. I'm the newsletter editor for HLAA Fox Valley Chapter and also for HLAA Wisconsin.