hearing aids

Buying Hearing Aids Involves Preparation and Coaching Teamwork

By Monique Hammond / February 28, 2026 / Comments Off on Buying Hearing Aids Involves Preparation and Coaching Teamwork

Note: For this blog, the discussion is limited to professional/ prescription hearing aids. Buying hearing aids can be a rather overwhelming journey. With myriads of instruments on the market, people wonder which ones are best for them. And so, it is said that the best hearing aids are those that patients actually use. Such instruments…

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Auditory Recruitment – A Treatable Side Effect of Hearing Loss

By Monique Hammond / January 17, 2026 / Comments Off on Auditory Recruitment – A Treatable Side Effect of Hearing Loss

Auditory Recruitment – also known as Loudness Recruitment – refers to a perceived rapid sound volume escalation in people with sensorineural hearing loss due to cochlear (inner ear) hearing cell damage. Even a small amplification boost can set off a fast and unexpected sound blast. Maybe this explains the observation that louder is not necessarily…

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Hearing Aids

By Monique Hammond / August 15, 2025 / Comments Off on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Hearing Aids

Despite significant progress in hearing aid technology, many customers are no longer satisfied with their hearing experiences in loud places. Understanding speech-in-noise remains the main challenge for those with hearing loss. How can this be changed? Might Artificial Intelligence (AI) help? Yes, there are DNNs for that! Basics of the Deep Neural Network (DNN) –…

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Age-friendly Events? Need for Hearing Accessible Venues for Seniors

By Monique Hammond / June 16, 2025 / Comments Off on Age-friendly Events? Need for Hearing Accessible Venues for Seniors

As their numbers grow, senior citizens attract all sorts of attention. “Age-friendly” has become a mainstream expression. It reflects sensitivity and inclusion. It is meant to encourage older people to sign up for and participate in sessions that are designed for them. But, are their needs being met, starting with communication access? According to statistics,…

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Auracast™ is Coming. Are We Ready?

By Monique Hammond / May 16, 2025 / Comments Off on Auracast™ is Coming. Are We Ready?

The list of communication access technologies is growing. Besides FM, IR, hearing loops and WiFi access, we now add a new option: Auracast™. Although everybody can take advantage of this evolving technology, especially those with hearing loss look forward to the new sound and listening experience. However, all of the current assistive listening choices listed…

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Still Plenty of Consumer Questions Regarding OTC Hearing Aids

By Monique Hammond / February 13, 2025 / Comments Off on Still Plenty of Consumer Questions Regarding OTC Hearing Aids

Hearing loss is a communication disorder that affects physical and emotional health. It calls for intervention and treatment. However, professional help may be hard to find and hearing aids are often unaffordable for many of those with hearing loss. To provide more accessible and affordable options, FDA-regulated Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids were released for retail…

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Do Senior Living Places Meet Hard-of-Hearing Communication Needs?

By Monique Hammond / August 13, 2024 / Comments Off on Do Senior Living Places Meet Hard-of-Hearing Communication Needs?

Be sure to be included – not excluded – in your new “home.” Find out about hearing loss accommodation before signing contracts. As people age, their chances for hearing loss increase along with their risk for dementia. It is said that 55 % of those aged 75 and older have disabling hearing loss. They struggle…

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Can Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) Cause Hearing Loss?

By Monique Hammond / July 20, 2024 / Comments Off on Can Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) Cause Hearing Loss?

There are different types of dementia and Alzheimer’s is one of them. And so, not all dementia or cognitive decline is Alzheimer’s. However, Alzheimer’s Disease is said to be the most common cause of dementia in older adults. Alzheimer’s is a brain disorder that develops slowly over time. As it progresses, widespread toxic changes attack…

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Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) and Technology for Hearing Loss

By Monique Hammond / June 17, 2024 / Comments Off on Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) and Technology for Hearing Loss

Hearing help is not limited to hearing aids. Many people use an array of assistive listening devices to boost communication and hearing anytime and anywhere. Although required by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) hearing accommodation in public places is at best spotty and not very well publicized. And so, I don’t travel without my…

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Why Medicare Does Not Cover Hearing Aids

By Monique Hammond / May 8, 2024 / Comments Off on Why Medicare Does Not Cover Hearing Aids

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 years of age and older. Younger people with certain disabilities and those with end-stage kidney disease also qualify. Medicare falls under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. Although it has undergone some changes since it was signed into action in 1965, the Original Medicare…

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