We are often asked “I’m home alone - do I really need to wear my hearing aids?” The quick answer is YES! We encourage our patients to wear their devices as much as possible every day. Below are some of the reasons, supported by science.
October 22nd is International Stuttering Awareness Day. Stuttering affects more than 70 million people worldwide - which is about 1% of the population. In the United States, that's over 3 million Americans who stutter. Approximately 5 percent of all children go through a period of stuttering that lasts six months or more. Three-quarters of those will recover by late childhood, leaving about 1% with a long-term problem. The best prevention tool is early intervention, and Gabby’s story is a perfect example…
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.
Tags: Speech, Language, Communication, literacy, Wilson Reading Program, Learning, Dyslexia
When choosing a hearing aid, there are many considerations. What will it look like? What will it do? An important consideration is of course your hearing loss. Your lifestyle and listening needs also play a critical role. Your vision and dexterity also are factors – will you be able to see small disposable batteries, insert them properly, clean the small components of the hearing aid? Would a lithium ion rechargeable product be best?
Tags: Hearing Aid, Audiology, Hearing Aids, Communication, Hearing Loss Prevention, Hard of Hearing, Hearing Loss
To get young children talking, we often motivate them by showing that “using your words” can get you what you want. A simple way to achieve this is through “People Play”. People Play describes “songs, games and activities in which the fun happens when the child interacts with another person” (The Hanen Program, More Than Words). So grab a blanket or a couch cushion and enjoy some of these great ways to play and interact that will also motivate your child to request more fun! The one-word language suggestions can always be lengthened into phrases or sentences depending on your child’s expressive language level.
Tags: Speech, Language, Communication, Learning, toddler, talking
With the COVID-19 global pandemic and the suggested (and at times required) use of face masks, people with hearing loss are limited in their ability to use their vision to support their hearing and communication.
Tags: Hearing Aid, Audiology, Communication, Hearing, Hearing Loss Prevention, Hard of Hearing, Hearing Loss, "ears", Face masks
Imagine: A child comes home from cheering for their favorite team at a high school game, and their voice sounds raspy. The next day when they wake up, their voice is gone completely and they can barely speak at all. Sound familiar? Maybe a similar occurrence has happened to you, except it was when you woke up with a bad head cold. This is something we commonly hear people refer to as “losing my voice.” What people think of as “losing their voice” can range from a hoarse, raspy voice to no voice at all. Have you ever wondered what exactly happens to our body to cause this to happen?
Tags: Speech, Language, Communication, Voice, talking
Tags: Speech, Hearing Aid, Audiology, Hearing Aids, Communication, Hearing, Hard of Hearing
Everyday activities can be opportunities to expand learning – particularly for speech and language. Here are seven easy, familiar options you can do at home with your child that offer speech and language cues. Encourage the child to repeat words or anticipate the next word or sentence. For example, after we put on our socks, what comes next? Shoes.
Tags: Speech, Language, Communication, Learning, toddler, talking
Very often, spouses and life-partners will suggest that their loved one has “selective” hearing – a self-made term indicating that they can hear perfectly fine most of the time, but tend not to hear their partner speaking. Is it simply a matter of “tuning out” – or could it be something else?
Tags: Hearing Aid, Hearing Aids, Communication, Hearing, Hearing Loss Prevention, Support, Hard of Hearing, Hearing Loss
