Posts by Monique Hammond
When Sound Sensitivities Complicate Hearing Loss
Such a contradiction: Not hearing well and understanding even less, yet being overly sensitive to sound? How can this be? Once more, we are reminded that damaged hearing systems do not behave in a logical fashion. Shortly after my sudden, severe hearing-loss the sounds of everyday life turned into unexpected challenges. What never bothered me…
Read MoreMaintain Oxygen Levels: Hypoxia Can Contribute to Hearing Loss
People often wonder why very complicated conditions like diabetes, heart disease, lung disease and sleep apnea figure on the lengthy list of possible hearing loss causes. Although more studies are needed, one theory is that these conditions interfere with oxygen transport to the ears. It is a lot about blood flow. One might say that…
Read MoreDon’t Allow Diabetes to Damage Your Hearing!
November is National Diabetes Month. This is the time to focus our attention on diabetes, a condition that affects over 37 million people in the United States. However, this is also a good time to think of our hearing because studies show that there is a link between diabetes and hearing loss. A 2008 study…
Read MoreParents Beware: Noisy Toys Can Damage Children’s Hearing
Toy safety is not all about swallowing, choking or inhaling dangers. It is also about over-the-top sound levels that can damage children’s hearing. Yet, good hearing is important for learning and for developing speech, language and social skills. Even a very mild loss can make a huge difference for a child’s future. Unfortunately, many kids…
Read MoreOTC Hearing Aids Are Coming!
On August 16, 2022 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its Final Rule for the sale of Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids. Affordable hearing help has been an issue for some time and many feel that FDA-regulated OTC hearing aids are long overdue. Chances are that these devices could be available online and in…
Read MoreCan Hearing Loss Cause Brain Fog?
Note:. No matter what the cause, brain fog episodes should be evaluated by a physician. In the World of Hearing Loss, Brain Fog is one of the topics that few want to talk about. But it does happen and must be acknowledged. Brain fog can have serious physical and emotional consequences. In social settings or…
Read MoreNavigating Vestibular Symptoms
I woke up and knew at once that this would be an inner-ear “off day.” I would need all my self-help tactics for navigating unwelcome vestibular symptoms. My left ear – my problem ear – felt totally stuffed up. The tinnitus was in uproar – much louder than usual with very high-pitched, rapid-fire morse-code dits.…
Read MoreBetter Hearing and Speech Improve Communication
Every year the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) dedicates the month of May to raising public awareness about communication disorders related to hearing and speech. This year’s theme – “Connecting People” –recognizes once more that hearing and speech are essential components for effective communication at any age. And so, those whose lives are affected by struggles…
Read MoreResistance to Hearing Aid Use
Why do so many people who need hearing help resist the use of hearing aids? Fast-paced technology advances certainly offer chances for so much better hearing. Yet, marketing surveys and research studies continue to explore possible reasons for customer resistance to hearing aid use. Is it all about price? Although price is often cited as…
Read MorePreventive Hearing Care is a Life-long Commitment
Save natural hearing Hearing is the sense that is all too often taken for granted – until it goes away. Even as the notion of “prevention” is all the rage in health care, preventive hearing care to save natural hearing is not a major concern. Only when the effects of damage and neglect become…
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