Tim Gaule My hearing loss is due to Ménière’s Disease. Ménière’s is a rare inner ear disease that affects approximately 650,000 people in the U.S. Onset usually occurs between ages 40 and 60. Possible theories as to the cause of Ménière’s are constrictions in blood vessels, viral infections, allergies, genetics, and autoimmune reactions. Besides hearing…
Local Audiologist to Join March Virtual Meeting Tiggy Shields The Discussion Group for Better Hearing is pleased to host Dr. Kristi Swingle, Au.D., at its virtual meeting on March 11. Our group brings this opportunity to the SaddleBrooke community in a continuing effort to offer education, support, and advocacy for those experiencing hearing loss and…
Tiggy Shields People in our U.S. culture are generally sensitive to folks who struggle with physical disabilities. We don’t want to do or say anything that is embarrassing or hurtful. Usually, we will just ignore any direct attention to a wheelchair, for example. Knowing what to do to offer any assistance, if appropriate, is easily…
Bill Grinonneau and Tiggy Shields Have you ever had your spouse, partner, or friend speak so softly that you can’t hear them? Have you ever found yourself saying “huh?” or “I can’t hear you,” when they speak in a normal, perfectly understandable voice? Well, friends, that happened to me. Gradually I came to the realization…
Maria Menconi, Ed.D. As we travel on the journey through the COVID-19 pandemic, it becomes quickly apparent that a person with a hearing loss who goes to the hospital during crisis times could face challenges. This is the issue I’d like to talk more about in this article. First, I need to let you know…
Maria Menconi After the tremendously positive reception received by Dr. Faredh Barakat in February at our first Hearing Night Out, we’ve decided to invite more speakers focused on various aspects of hearing improvement to our monthly meetings. While we will continue to allow time for general questions and discussion, we also want to provide our…
Barb Soderberg I never felt my hearing loss was a disability until we moved to SaddleBrooke. There are hundreds of wonderful things to do, most of which require me to be able to hear. In a small group, I function fairly well, but not in a classroom, theater, or ballroom if there is no audio loop…
Barb Soderberg and Maria Menconi I have been dealing with a hearing loss for most of my life. I was diagnosed when I was 25, because my mother thought I was hard of hearing. I had seen a specialist in high school because I had fluid behind the ear drum. Mom made an appointment for…
Maria Menconi Many SaddleBrooke residents have joined us in the past year for our Discussion Group for Better Hearing which meets the second Thursday of every month at MountainView. We are delighted and excited to have met so many of you, and now we are bringing you SaddleBrooke’s first Hearing Night Out. Please mark your…
Maria Menconi In a visit to a doctor’s office recently, I saw a startling poster on the wall. It was entitled “Untreated Hearing Loss and Alzheimer’s Disease”. I was shocked to see the symptom similarities between the two. For example, symptoms of an untreated hearing loss include depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, while symptoms…