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Life With Hearing Loss

Accepting, Treating, and Thriving with Hearing Loss

Aging
How to Explain Hearing Loss So Others Can Understand It

Shari Eberts on October 12, 2023

Hearing loss is difficult to grasp if you have not experienced it yourself. These simple explanations can help others better understand it, building empathy and greater connection.

Hearing loss is difficult to grasp if you have not experienced it yourself. These simple explanations can help others better understand it, building empathy and greater connection.

Cognition
Not Everyone with Hearing Loss Knows Sign Language

Shari Eberts on August 14, 2023

There are many ways to create good communication for people with hearing loss; but for most of us, this list does not include sign language.

There are many ways to create good communication for people with hearing loss; but for most of us, this list does not include sign language.

Relationships
Dinner Chat With Hearing Loss Comes With a Side of Disaster

Shari Eberts on June 7, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Communicating with someone with hearing loss takes some work, especially in a group situation like a meal. But there are ways to make it work. 

A Personal Perspective: Communicating with someone with hearing loss takes some work, especially in a group situation like a meal. But there are ways to make it work. 

Career
When Can Hearing Less Help You Understand More?

Shari Eberts on May 1, 2023

Personal Perspective: With hearing loss, communication can be exhausting. Could working less hard to hear sometimes help people to understand more?

Personal Perspective: With hearing loss, communication can be exhausting. Could working less hard to hear sometimes help people to understand more?

Empathy
Can Hearing Loss Be Mistaken for Unfriendliness?

Shari Eberts on February 12, 2023

Personal Perspective: Does your hearing loss make you seem aloof? Being open about hearing loss can help build empathy and create stronger relationships with others.

Personal Perspective: Does your hearing loss make you seem aloof? Being open about hearing loss can help build empathy and create stronger relationships with others.

Cognition
Knowing Proper Disability Language Can Help Reduce Stigma

Shari Eberts on December 12, 2022

Without proper vocabulary, people can be reticent to discuss disability for fear of offending someone. Proper language eases the conversation, making it simpler to find solutions.

Without proper vocabulary, people can be reticent to discuss disability for fear of offending someone. Proper language eases the conversation, making it simpler to find solutions.

Aging
Getting Comfortable With the Discomfort of Hearing Loss

Shari Eberts on October 11, 2022

We cannot control every listening situation but when we focus on what we can control, we can take the steps needed to create better communication.

We cannot control every listening situation but when we focus on what we can control, we can take the steps needed to create better communication.

Health
Will Hearing Loss Soon Be Commonplace?

Shari Eberts on June 12, 2022

Can you imagine a time when hearing loss would be commonplace? Given demographic trends, we may be rapidly approaching this.

Can you imagine a time when hearing loss would be commonplace? Given demographic trends, we may be rapidly approaching this.

Coronavirus Disease 2019
Important Reasons to Get Your Hearing Tested

Shari Eberts on February 25, 2022

If you are struggling to understand people wearing masks, you are not alone, but if you are having trouble hearing in other situations too, it may be time for a hearing test.

If you are struggling to understand people wearing masks, you are not alone, but if you are having trouble hearing in other situations too, it may be time for a hearing test.

Hearing loss holiday tips
Friends
Your Hearing Loss Holiday Survival Guide

Shari Eberts on December 6, 2021

The holiday season can be a mixed blessing for people with hearing loss. But it doesn't need to be. Follow these tips to survive and thrive.

The holiday season can be a mixed blessing for people with hearing loss. But it doesn't need to be. Follow these tips to survive and thrive.

Friends
What I Learned From My Hearing Loss

Shari Eberts on August 23, 2021

While hearing loss presents many challenges, it is also a wonderful teacher. Lesson 1: Self-advocacy is the key to success.

While hearing loss presents many challenges, it is also a wonderful teacher. Lesson 1: Self-advocacy is the key to success.

Friends
What "Sound of Metal" Gets Wrong About Hearing Loss

Shari Eberts on April 12, 2021

The film "Sound of Metal" accurately displays the anguish of hearing loss, but its one-sided portrayal of the hearing loss experience left me cold.

The film "Sound of Metal" accurately displays the anguish of hearing loss, but its one-sided portrayal of the hearing loss experience left me cold.

Shyness
What Do You Do When Things Get Loud?

Shari Eberts on February 11, 2021

When caught in an unexpectedly loud situation, don't be shy about using your fingers to plug your ears. Hearing protection is critical for us all.

When caught in an unexpectedly loud situation, don't be shy about using your fingers to plug your ears. Hearing protection is critical for us all.

Artificial Intelligence
Tips for a Hearing-Loss-Friendly Virtual Holiday

Shari Eberts on December 11, 2020

In some ways, a virtual holiday season may be easier from a hearing-loss perspective. Keep these hearing-friendly rules in mind when planning your holiday events.

In some ways, a virtual holiday season may be easier from a hearing-loss perspective. Keep these hearing-friendly rules in mind when planning your holiday events.

Coronavirus Disease 2019
Is the COVID-19 Pandemic Hurting My Child’s Hearing?

Shari Eberts on October 13, 2020

When people think of noise-induced hearing loss, they most often think of exposure to loud sounds like sirens, concerts, or jackhammering, but extensive earbud use is also risky.

When people think of noise-induced hearing loss, they most often think of exposure to loud sounds like sirens, concerts, or jackhammering, but extensive earbud use is also risky.