For people with hearing loss, a lack of assistive listening devices in an auditorium is as much a barrier to enjoyment of a performance as a steep flight of stairs would be to someone with a mobility disorder.
Auracast Is Expanding Audio Sharing—for Everyone
Auracast is poised to significantly enhance audio accessibility for both those with hearing loss and the general public. As more manufacturers adopt this technology, we can expect to see its application in a diverse range of devices and settings.
Auracast Update
Because Auracast is part of Bluetooth, there's no extra tech needed to include it in a product. That said, since hearing aids last several years, the transition to most being Auracast-capable will take time.
Young Adults Are Redefining Healthy Hearing
No longer solely associated with older adults, hearing aids are poised to be embraced by a new wave of tech-savvy and style-conscious individuals who are reshaping the industry and challenging long-held perceptions.
Apple Hearing Study Update
The latest update shared the perhaps not unsurprising statistic that an estimated one in three adult Americans are exposed to excessive noise levels, above an annual average of 70 dBA.
Only Connect
Growing up with a parent with hearing loss, I understood the challenges that can result from communication gaps. I also saw firsthand how many people with hearing loss don’t seek medical help because of the cost or not being aware of services.
Nurturing Self-Advocacy by Learning How to Speak Up
As self-advocates, we will speak up for ourselves and our peers, learn who supports us, where and how to access information, know our rights and responsibilities, make our own choices, and advocate for our group’s rights.
Hear Well Over the Holidays
I remind myself to not freak out because I’m afraid I’m missing out on conversations—just relax and enjoy the food and good cheer. Nobody at the Thanksgiving table can follow every conversation anyway!
It’s Mid-October, Where Are We With OTC Hearing Aids?
The FDA set October 17 as the date for the introduction of over-the-counter hearing aids. So far a mix of startups, major tech companies, big box stores, and existing hearing aid makers are jumping into the new market.
Google Maps Adds Hearing Loops Information
Google Maps has recently begun including hearing loops in the accessibility information on its website. A national database of looped venues has been a goal of hearing loop advocates for years and it's finally becoming a reality.