Posts by Monique Hammond

For the public good  Every year since 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) dedicates the month of May to promote public awareness regarding hearing and speech disorders.  This year’s theme is “Communication for All.” Although the efforts of highlighting these two communication issues are mostly geared at children, adults also suffer from the fallout of…

This is hearing loss that is due to nerve damage. It stays “hidden” on basic hearing tests because they do not detect it and therefore are often reported as “normal” or “near normal.”  And so, test results do not explain the symptoms described by patients. However, the gap between the symptoms and the test reports alerts experienced…

This is hearing loss that is due to nerve damage. It stays “hidden” on basic hearing tests because they do not detect it and therefore are often reported as “normal” or “near normal.”  And so, test results do not explain the symptoms described by patients. However, the gap between the symptoms and the test reports alerts experienced…

A myth is a “widely held but false belief or idea.” Hearing loss myths all too often become set-ups for ever greater injury. 1) Hearing loss is an “old people’s” problem This is no longer true. “Young” ears are not immune or resistant to hearing loss.    Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that 1 in 5 Americans, age 12 and…

Nobody likes to talk about the chronic communication disorder called hearing loss. Instead, people deny it for as long as possible. The fact that it is often called an “invisible” disability further suggests that it can be hidden, which is actually hard to do. On average, it takes 5 to 10 years before people act…

Hearing loss is a chronic communication disorder. It affects every aspect of life and becomes quickly limiting and unsettling. All the more reason to take action!  Here are 6 points for gaining control as hearing loss threatens quality of life in all sorts of ways. The aim is to go forward, NOT backward.  1) Don’t procrastinate! …

Tinnitus is a mystery and often so much more than mere “ringing in the ears.” No matter what the cause, noises such as buzzing, ringing, roaring, hissing or thumping  trigger all kinds of emotional responses  – from annoyance to desperation.  In classic, “subjective” tinnitus, only the patient “hears” these phantom sounds, which frustrates many people.…

Every year, the third of March marks the World Hearing Day. Organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), this year’s theme will be: “Hear the future  – and prepare for it. “  According to the website, three key messages highlight the event:  · expected rise in prevalence of hearing loss globally over the coming years (based on…

Got hearing loss? Protect any residual hearing from noise, the archenemy of ears and hearing.  Save every smidgen that is left! Do not underestimate noise risk For those with hearing loss, it is hard to tell how loud a place really is. Ear-numbing sound levels of rock concerts, gyms or insanely loud movies do not…