If you missed our August 2024 HOPE hearing loss online support meeting, here are the notes and some helpful links.
Notes from HOPE meetings are always available on our blog shortly after the meeting. You can read more about our HOPE program here.
Advice on Buying a Hearing Aid
A participant asked about what to do when her audiologist offers only a few hearing aids that might work for her, including very expensive ones. What features should she consider? What else should she think about before she buys a hearing aid? Participants recommended…
- Bluetooth and telecoils as very important features — features so important that HLAA-WA helped pass a law in 2019 that requires consumers be told about them. A telecoil is the universal platform that connects you to assistive listening systems in public places. Bluetooth connects you to devices like your phone and computer. You can get both.
- Considering the different types of directional microphones.
- Considering whether a hearing aid is Auracast-ready. Auracast is an up-and-coming assistive listening system not yet available.
- Comparison shopping not just for a hearing aid, but also for a hearing care provider. Each provider has their own preferences, favorite hearing aids, and knowledge base. You want to feel comfortable with your provider and have easy access to them for follow-up and questions.
- Watching Dr. Cliff Olson’s videos as an excellent resource for hearing aid reviews. You can look up a specific hearing aid and see what he has to say about it.
- Checking out HearingTracker.com for detailed hearing aid reviews.
- Asking about your trial period, usually either 30 or 45 days.
Hearing Loss Coping Mechanisms
What do you do when you have a bad day and you’re struggling with your hearing loss? To lift your own spirits, participants suggested…
- Remembering to persevere and persist
- Thinking about the relief, relaxation, and joy that can follow when you advocate for yourself, even when you’re exhausted
- Going to an off-leash dog park, even if you don’t have a dog!
- Taking a hot bubble bath (hearing aids removed first!)
- Watching funny movies and cat, dog, or baby videos
- Eating your favorite treats (ice cream, chocolate, potato chips)
- Reading a good book and relaxing
- Breaking the negative self-talk cycle by doing the “ABCs of I ams”–reminding yourself of what’s good about you. “I am amazing.” “I am brave.” “I am caring.” etc.
- Taking a walk in nature
- Dancing by yourself to your favorite music
Hearing Access at the LEAD Conference in Seattle
A participant updated us on the excellent hearing access available at the Kennedy Center’s LEAD conference this summer in Seattle. In each meeting room, a QR code was on a flyer on the door. You scanned the QR code with your smartphone to get a link to the StreamText, and you could follow the text even if you left the room. Captions were also available on a large monitor in the room. Hard-of-hearing presenters were given tablets to read the captions. They even had a new FM assistive listening system; you checked out headphones or a neckloop, or you could plug in a Phonak Roger On. The participant could hear everyone at the table and information coming through the PA system.
To springboard from this conference, we want to know which arts spaces you most need hearing access. Let us know where you need access, and we’ll write them a letter of inquiry: hope@hearingloss-wa.org.
Update on Captions on TVs in Public Spaces
A participant revisited a restaurant where before, he’d had a problem getting captions on the televisions. (Captions are required on televisions in public, per Washington State Law.) He showed the new manager a letter on his phone demonstrating the law, and he was receptive to the idea.
One participant wanted to watch the Olympics in a restaurant, but there were no captions on the television. She discussed the caption law with the waiter, who was unaware of the requirement. He did turn the captions on!
Another participant mentioned a device that turns on captions on all TVs within a 50-yard radius. The device is $30 and available online.
To get captions when they’re not available, sometimes you can point a microphone at a television and use an Ava or Otter captioning app on your phone.
One participant recommended Xander, XReal, and XRAI caption glasses.
Help with Speech After a Hearing Loss
A participant asked what could help her articulate and use her voice better. She was interested in ASHA (American Speech-Language Hearing Association) and possible technologies. Suggestions:
- Gallaudet University’s free support group services.
- Western Washington University’s Speech-Language Clinic