May 16, 2023 – In-Person `Living With Hearing Loss` by Margaret Myatt.

May 16, 2023, in-person `Living With Hearing Loss` by Margaret Myatt.

We learned quite a few things from Margaret, VP of HLAA Downeast Chapter, and Debra Bare-Rogers of Disability Rights Maine  during this 1 hour session. Handouts for various resources were made available at this meeting.

The slideshow is here and a bullet list summary is below.

Thanks to the Louis T Graves Memorial Public Library of Kennebunkport, ME, for providing space for this session.

Summary of slides (#32) :

• title + flier for this meeting;
  • greeting and how to participate in this meeting;
  • about Margaret;
  • what is hearing? Simple ear diagram + amplitude aka loudness + frequency aka pitch;
  • effects of hearing loss (2 slides) include major disruptions of what others are saying;
  • simply amplifying sounds does not help (2 slides) and can make it worse;
  • five things to do if you have hearing loss:

1. get assessed;
2. use technology;
3. self advocate;
4. don’t hide it from yourself or others;
5. know that support is available from others in the same hearing boat;

• example of a blank audiogram, with placement of common sounds shown by icons and the letters of the alphabet;
  • examples of actual audiograms showing current hearing loss status;
  • hearing aids are programmable to improve hearing and reduce background noise;
  • hearing aid technology is amazing due to recent advances;
  • examples of styles for hearing aids;
  • checklist for buying hearing aids;
  • what to ask regarding OTC (Over-the-Counter) hearing aids;
  • Maine requires insurers to cover much of the cost of hearing aids;
  • examples of some typical assistive listening systems such as Bluetooth;
  • smartphone apps;
  • captioned landline phones are available for free;
  • Maine Relay Services can be obtained via Disability Rights Maine;
  • theaters provide various methods assistance – 2 examples in Portland were mentioned;
  • personal safety devices are available;
  • the Red Cross will install fire alarms, etc. (fyi link on slide redirects to here);
  • behaivoral modifications are things you and those you listen to can do to improve how you hear;
  • contact info for four places where you can get help for hearing issues;
  • contact info for HLAA Downeast Chapter, which began in March 2023;
  • many folks – including those without hearing loss – can benefit from things that improve communication;
  • ** conclusion: get assessed + use technology + self advocate + be honest + support is available **;
  • more contact info;
  • Q&A period;
  • reminder that the brain can make mistakes while trying to fill in missing info of any kind.