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This World Hearing Day, Let’s Work to Tackle Hearing Problems at the Community Level

In Communication, Hearing Health, Hearing Loss by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

World Hearing Day is observed on March 3rd every year, a global awareness day that sheds light on the importance of ear and hearing care. This year’s theme is “Ear and hearing care for all,” emphasizing the importance of integrating ear and hearing care within primary healthcare. One of the central planks of this year’s theme is Tackling Ear and …

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Tips for Helping Others Communicate Clearly When You Have Hearing Loss

In Communication, Hearing Loss by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

If you have hearing loss then you may experience how much more energy it takes in order to follow a conversation. Hearing aids are amazing for helping us to hear with greater ease and connect to people—however, even with this added advantage listening to conversation and responding takes added focus, energy, and patience. Many people without hearing loss are in …

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Connecting People | May is Better Hearing and Speech Month!

In Communication, Hearing Loss by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

The adage “April showers bring May flowers” is a nice reminder that enduring the difficult times can be necessary to truly experience the pleasure of the good times. Without the rain and gloom, the flowers wouldn’t be able to show us their vivid display of sensory delights. This principle applies to so much in life, and the annual cycle of …

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Untreated Hearing Loss May Interfere with Your Relationships

In Communication, Hearing Health, Hearing Loss by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Hearing loss can make it challenging to follow conversations or connect with loved ones. It makes you ask people to repeat themselves or give up since you just can’t understand what was said. It’s important to remember that your hearing loss doesn’t just affect you. When hearing loss leads to poor communication it interferes with your relationships. Hearing Loss Can …

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Ways to Accommodate Your Loved Ones with Hearing Loss

In Communication, Hearing Loss by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Did you know that over 50 million Americans have hearing loss? Older adults often have age-related hearing loss, but younger adults, teenagers, and children can have hearing loss from exposure to loud noise, an illness or injury, or even due to genetics. If you have a friend or family member with hearing loss, there are a few ways you can …

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Difficulties with Communication Could Signal Hearing Loss

In Communication, Hearing Loss by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic medical conditions that people navigate today. Nearly 48 million people experience impaired hearing which has multifaceted effects if left untreated. Though hearing loss is a pervasive health issue, it tends to be underdiagnosed. Part of this is because hearing loss typically happens gradually, so it can remain unnoticed for quite some …

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Tips for a Successful Virtual Family Reunion

In Communication by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

What is your favorite part of a family holiday gathering? Some of our minds go immediately to the plentiful treats and traditional foods that only come around once a year. Others of us love the classic session of board games that tend to roll out during a holiday reunion. Perhaps you think of the conversations with family members you aren’t …

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Improving Communication with Your Family

In Communication by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

If you are a family member of someone with hearing loss, you understand the struggle that day-to-day communication can become. Not only are there missing pieces of information, but there can be an emotional charge to even the simplest interaction. Frustrations run high in all directions, and without a careful concerted effort to manage these feelings we can end up …

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Communication At Work: May is Better Hearing and Speech Month!

In Communication by Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

When someone struggles to hear, they also struggle to communicate. It can be extremely challenging to respond to the world around you when you cannot hear what people around you are saying. Around 466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss and associated language issues. To highlight the importance of treating and accommodating people with hearing and language challenges the …