News

New Innovations in Hearing-Assistive Devices

HATs off to Hearing Assistive Technology! (See what we did there?) They’re the devices dedicated to helping you hear better – and communicate easier – no matter where you are. And thanks to ever-evolving smartphone technology, they’re doing it with even more precision, sophistication and convenience than ever before.

Read on to learn more about the newest innovations in hearing-assistive devices and what they can do for you.

“Tap to Alexa” – Smart Speakers Evolving for Hearing Loss

We are living in the golden age of assistive devices. It seems like every day comes with new and exciting advancements that further promote accessibility and empower individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind and/or speech disabled. Alexa is Amazon’s personal assistant program. Alexa, and similar personal assistants such as Google Home and Apple’s Siri, perform actions and scour the web for information based off of voice commands. One of the most recent advancements in accessibility is a new feature for Amazon’s Echo smart speakers called “Tap to Alexa.”

Read on to learn more about the latest advancement in smart speaker accessibility.

Top Universities for Deaf Students

When it comes to catering to the needs of deaf and hard of hearing students, most colleges and universities leave much to be desired. That’s why, for hard of hearing high schoolers, finding a college with systems in place to properly help them reach their educational goals can be a real challenge. Finding a sense of community is vitally important to the college experience. If you or someone you love is ready to take the next step in higher education, don’t settle! Take the time to find a school that meets ALL of your needs—both academic and social.

Check out these top 5 universities for deaf and hard of hearing students:

5 Tips for Dating A Deaf Person

Relationships are all about communication. So, what happens when you and your date communicate differently? In most cases, a few simple considerations are all you need to bridge any gap in understanding, which is why we’ve put together a few simple tips to help you prepare for your first date with a deaf or hard of hearing person.

Check out these quick tips for navigating dating and deafness.

Best Phones and Apps for Hearing Loss

Over the last few decades, technology has advanced rapidly, making way for software and devices that are inexpensive, convenient and more helpful than ever before for hard of hearing individuals. In an effort to help you sort through the options out there today, we’ve put together a list of some of the best phones and apps available for individuals with hearing loss.

Read on to learn more about this lineup of helpful solutions for the hard of hearing.

Sign Language Around the World

Outside of the deaf and hard of hearing community, few people realize just how many types of sign language exist around the world. While the exact number of unique sign languages remains unknown, there are hundreds of distinct languages used by deaf and hard of hearing individuals the world over.

There are far more types of sign language than we could ever include in a single blog post, but read on to learn about some of the most common types of sign language in the world today. 

Does Age-Related Hearing Loss Lead to Depression?

Depression and age-related hearing loss are two incredibly complex and difficult situations that impact everyone differently. While no two people have the exact same experience with hearing loss, the National Council on the Aging (NCOA) found that older people with untreated hearing loss have higher rates of depression, anxiety, paranoia and were less likely to participate in organized social activities when compared to those who wear hearing aids. 

Handling the Holidays with Hearing Loss

The holidays are a great time to get together with loved ones, but—for people with hearing loss—the celebrations can lead to unnecessary confusion and frustration. Going into this holiday season, we’ve prepared some key considerations before you head to this year’s parties.

Consider these common holiday hearing loss issues:

The Differences Between Deaf Culture and Hearing Culture

Hearing people outside of the deaf community often aren’t aware of the existence of deaf culture. As with other cultures, deaf culture comes with its own set of values, convictions and socially acceptable behaviors. It can sometimes be difficult to understand what differentiates the two communities.

Check out the key differences between deaf and hearing culture: 

Top 5 Online Resources for Age-Related Hearing Loss

One of the most common conditions affecting older people is age-related hearing loss. As you age, many different factors can negatively impact your hearing, such as exposure to loud noises, certain medications, and other conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Experiencing age-related hearing loss can be frightening and confusing, but it can be managed with access to the right resources.

Check out our top 5 online resources for age-related hearing loss: