Posts by Monique Hammond

In February 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that over 1 billion teens and young adults are at serious risk for noise-induced hearing loss. What has been written and talked about for some time, is fast becoming a sad reality.  Every insult counts! No matter how or where it is generated, excessively loud sound ages human…

Loneliness is often cited as a serious health risk, especially for older adults. In the U.S., an  AARP  survey reports that over 35% of those 45 years of age and older are lonely.  Maybe friends or family members have moved away or even died. Maybe jobs have been lost and relationships have fallen apart. Maybe health…

Incidence A 2008 study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) showed that “Hearing loss is about twice as common in adults with diabetes compared to those who do not have the disease.” Even those with pre-diabetes had a 30% higher rate of hearing loss when compared to those with normal blood glucose/sugar levels.  Why hearing damage?…

What is a Hearing Loop? Extremely, briefly… A Hearing Loop—also called Induction Loop—is an Assistive Listening System. It helps those who are hard-of-hearing understand speech more clearly, especially in large venues and in background noise.   The “System” consists of the Hearing Loop Set-up which is paired with Telecoils or T-coils. Loop and T-coils work together. One without…

Hearing and wellness at risk Besides causing permanent hearing loss, loud sound has harmful effects on the body as a whole. Unrelenting noise that we may accept as the “sounds of life around us” can impact health and wellness in most negative ways.  So, what are some of the problems that sound can cause?     · Especially at…

Why wait for help? Does research show that hearing loss and depression are linked? Indeed, it does. As hearing loss becomes worse and affects every aspect of life, the emotional fall-out becomes more complicated and overwhelming.  So, why do people wait for up to ten years before they get tested and get help? Three out of five…

Strained relationships  “I wish that mom had some mercy on us. She is so hard to live with.”  These words were spoken by a lady during a support meeting. They illustrate the helplessness that friends and relatives often feel as they try to relate to a loved one with hearing challenges. Hearing loss becomes fast…

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…

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…