Life With Hearing Loss

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.

Aging

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.

Aging

What I Have Learned as a Person With Hearing Loss

Shari Eberts on August 12, 2022

You may need to use workarounds, but hearing loss should not hold you back from achieving your goals or enjoying your life.

You may need to use workarounds, but hearing loss should not hold you back from achieving your goals or enjoying your life.

Aging

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.

Aging

Seasonal Allergies Complicate My Hearing Loss

Shari Eberts on April 16, 2022

Seasonal allergies and hearing loss are a bad combination, but there are ways to mitigate the damage.

Seasonal allergies and hearing loss are a bad combination, but there are ways to mitigate the damage.

Aging

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.

Aging

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.

Aging

How Can You Make Life Easier for Someone With Hearing Loss?

Shari Eberts on October 18, 2021

Do you love someone with hearing loss? Perhaps you wonder what you can do to help. Here are seven ways you can make life easier for them.

Do you love someone with hearing loss? Perhaps you wonder what you can do to help. Here are seven ways you can make life easier for them.

Aging

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.

Aging

How to Support Someone with Hearing Loss

Shari Eberts on June 15, 2021

How can you show the people in your life with hearing loss that you value them? Here are 8 tips.

How can you show the people in your life with hearing loss that you value them? Here are 8 tips.

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.

Aging

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.

Aging

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.

Education

Back to School and Hearing Health

Shari Eberts on August 10, 2020

Schools should take a more active role in teaching children to protect their hearing.

Schools should take a more active role in teaching children to protect their hearing.

Aging

I Am the Friend With Hearing Aids

Shari Eberts on June 25, 2020

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

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

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Your COVID-19 Hearing Loss Guide

Shari Eberts on April 16, 2020

Hearing loss can be socially isolating in normal times. How can people with hearing loss stay as active, engaged and productive as possible during this time of social distancing?

Hearing loss can be socially isolating in normal times. How can people with hearing loss stay as active, engaged and productive as possible during this time of social distancing?

Aging

How to Support a Loved One with Hearing Loss

Shari Eberts on March 11, 2020

How can you show your loved ones with hearing loss that you are on their side? A few simple tricks go a long way.

How can you show your loved ones with hearing loss that you are on their side? A few simple tricks go a long way.

Career

How to Make Your Hearing Loss Less Invisible

Shari Eberts on January 13, 2020

Since it is invisible, hearing loss is easily overlooked, ignored, or not taken seriously. How can we make our disability more visible, so that we receive the assistance we need?

Since it is invisible, hearing loss is easily overlooked, ignored, or not taken seriously. How can we make our disability more visible, so that we receive the assistance we need?