communication

Five Strategies to Protect and Preserve Hearing

By Monique Hammond / January 22, 2024 / Comments Off on Five Strategies to Protect and Preserve Hearing

Hearing connects us to our social and professional worlds. It allows us to enjoy the sounds of speech, nature, and music. Unfortunately, people all too often fail to appreciate this precious sense. They rarely feel motivated to protect and preserve their hearing. They take it for granted until it fades away and they experience the…

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Don’t Let Hearing Loss Increase Holiday Stress

By Monique Hammond / December 9, 2023 / Comments Off on Don’t Let Hearing Loss Increase Holiday Stress

Why might hearing loss support groups feature mental health speakers around the end-of-the-year Holiday Season? It is expected that such specialists will help strengthen the resolve and self-confidence of their members so that they can “survive” the stress of the Holidays. Hearing loss increases Holiday stress because it is a tiring, chronic communication issue. The…

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Auditory Processing Disorder Affects Learning and Communication

By Monique Hammond / July 5, 2023 / Comments Off on Auditory Processing Disorder Affects Learning and Communication

Auditory processing Disorder (APD) affects learning and communication at any age. It is NOT caused by hearing loss. Although many APD-related symptoms appear to be similar to those caused by hearing loss, they happen for different reasons. One might say that APD mimics hearing loss.  APD is due to sound processing problems of the brain…

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Parents Beware: Noisy Toys Can Damage Children’s Hearing

By Monique Hammond / October 14, 2022 / Comments Off on Parents 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…

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Can Hearing Loss Cause Brain Fog?

By Monique Hammond / July 25, 2022 / Comments Off on Can 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…

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Better Hearing and Speech Improve Communication

By Monique Hammond / May 12, 2022 / Comments Off on Better 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…

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Improved communication year round

Improved Communication Year-round

By Monique Hammond / December 8, 2021 / Comments Off on Improved Communication Year-round

Be included, not excluded! There is no time like the Holidays to remind those with hearing loss of the dreaded oncoming communication crunch. The struggle to understand speech in noisy groups and places makes it hard to participate in conversations and activities. And so. it is easy to feel excluded rather than included during the peak…

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It’s May, the Time to Take Action on Hearing and Speech Issues

By Monique Hammond / May 11, 2021 / Comments Off on It’s May, the Time to Take Action on Hearing and Speech Issues

During the month of May, people are called upon to raise awareness on many diverse topics. It is also my birth month. But I never ever thought that May would become important to me as “Better Hearing and Speech” Month.  Connections through Communication Every year since 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) dedicates the month…

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Hidden, Silent Disability Travel Woes

By Monique Hammond / May 6, 2021 / Comments Off on Hidden, Silent Disability Travel Woes

Yes, hearing loss is often called a “a hidden or a silent disability.” Invisible to outsiders, it causes all sorts of challenges for daily life but when it comes to travel, it can lead to anxiety and panic situations. Hearing loss has certainly put a serious crimp into my own travel experiences.  It all starts…

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Hearing Loss Outed By Covid

Hearing Loss Outed by COVID-19

By Monique Hammond / March 27, 2021 / Comments Off on Hearing Loss Outed by COVID-19

No place to hide Yes, hearing loss became truly a family affair during COVID isolation and quarantine. There was no way to hide 24/7 when conversations became labored for those with hearing loss. Family members grew weary in a hurry of having to confront the communication struggles every single day. One lady shared that she…

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