Did You Miss our March 24 Presentation?
I am a member of the Saddlebrooke Hearing Discussion Group. Our group invited Christy Abrams, who is associated with the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (ACDHH) to give a presentation to our community on March 24th. If you were unable to attend, you missed out on a very good presentation. Christy spoke about both hearing loss and ACDHH's Arizona Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (AzTEDP)
Christy shared that 60% of individuals over the age of 60 have hearing loss and 80% of individuals over 80 have hear loss. Have you noticed all the residents wearing hearing aids in SaddleBrooke? She shared communication strategies for speaking with a hard or hearing individual. Here are some of the strategies she suggested:
Be face to face
Be within 6 feet
Reduce background sounds
Rephrase, add new clues
Speak one at a time
Shouting doesn’t help
Christy also mentioned how untreated hearing loss may be linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline. People tend to delay treating their hearing loss for years. This delay can have serious consequences for hearing, brain health, and quality of life. To learn more about hearing loss and dementia check out this webinar: https://streamyard.com/watch/sue2T6unzeRn. It is hosted by Dr Cliff Olson, who is an audiologist based in Phoenix. I have mentioned him before, and his YouTube channel has 100’s of videos on hearing loss.
Christy also told us about a Communication Access Plan (CAP) which is a one-page form to let your doctors and health care team know about your hearing status and the communication aids and services needed. Here is a link: https://www.hearingloss.org/resources/health-care-communication-access-plan/.
Ever smiled and nodded even though you missed what was said? Watch “How to Communicate Better with Hearing Loss”. This candid exploration by Gael Hannan reveals why this survival tactic sabotages relationships and how honest communication creates deeper connections for everyone, hearing or not. https://youtu.be/Xk2WGDXyKRI?si=v5p2nSL5k5a8cDEf
AzTEDP provides FREE telecommunications equipment such as amplified phones, Bluetooth options, TTYs, speech devices, and signaling/flashing/vibrating alerting devices. This equipment is provided at no cost to U.S. citizens who reside in the state of Arizona and are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind/CVHL, or Speech-Impaired, regardless of income. For more information contact Vicki Thompson at V.Thompson@acdhh.az.gov or (602)-542-3365.
Finally, here are some books that Christy recommended:
Shouting Won't Help by Katherine Bouton
A Quiet World: Living with Hearing Loss by David G Myers
The Way I Hear It: A Life with Hearing Loss by Gael Hannan
Our group meets on the 2nd Friday of every month at 10 AM in the Catalina Room in the Mesquite Building. We typically have one or two Doctor of Audiology students from the University of Arizona in attendance who are happy to answer your questions. If you have questions about this article, would like me to email the links provided in this article or would like to have your email added to our distribution list, contact me at tgaule@outlook.com.