Like many of you, this past 12 months have been an almost overwhelming avalanche of change, stress, and “new normals.” While COVID-19 has been a universal experience for all, it has also changed our individual needs and behaviors patterns in both large and small ways.
Aging Actively
Aging actively is more than a phrase. It’s about extending healthy life expectancy and quality of life for all people as they age. We all know that connecting to one another and our physical world is absolutely vital in preserving our wellbeing, so as we think of our five senses, many would agree that hearing plays an important role in maintaining our quality of life.
Hearing Aid History: Ear Trumpets, European Royalty, & Earbuds
Hearing aid history is filled with inventions, from the ear trumpet in the 17th century to the high-tech hearing aids and amplifiers (Personal Sound Amplification Products, or PSAPs) we have today. As the author Arthur C. Clarke once said, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” Although this isn’t quite true, some people benefit so much from their hearing aid or amplifier that it can feel like magic.
A Medical Mystery
I am an 87-year-old retired otolaryngologist–head & neck surgeon. I am writing this to present a medical mystery. In 2016 I began to experience several health issues at the same time. I developed double vision, which was corrected using glasses, and after an extensive trip across the country to visit family and friends, an old knee problem flared up. Since my knee failed to respond to a routine cortisone injection, it was recommended that my hip be replaced.
How Billy the Marlin Went to Bat for Inclusion
Billy the Marlin certainly did his part practicing social distancing during the 2020 MLB season. Not only did the Marlins’ popular, long-beaked mascot stay clear of those around him during games, he also helped raise awareness for the hearing impaired.
Deciphering a Mechanism Behind Bone Conduction Hyperacusis
The underlying mechanism of bone conduction sound transmission to the inner ear has been elusive and poorly understood because bone conduction sound transmission is complex—multiple frequency-dependent mechanisms may be involved.
A Love for Hearing, A Love For Life
If there was ever a time to live with hearing loss, it's now. Technology has improved exponentially in recent years, and the internet has allowed people with hearing loss to participate in communities and real-time conversations in a way that used to be almost impossible.
Introducing Hearing Health Foundation’s Refreshed Visual Identity
The pandemic afforded us an opportunity to assess and refresh our visual identity. To uphold and better communicate our commitments to excellence and innovation, we took time in 2020 to brighten our logos and color palettes for HHF and our research programs, the Hearing Restoration Project (HRP) and Emerging Research Grants (ERG).
Old Normal
If there was ever a time to live with hearing loss, it's now. Technology has improved exponentially in recent years, and the internet has allowed people with hearing loss to participate in communities and real-time conversations in a way that used to be almost impossible.
New Year, New RMD
Typically, funds withdrawn from your IRA count towards your annual income, increasing your overall tax burden. But if you give these funds to Hearing Health Foundation (HHF) or another favorite charitable organization instead, they are always tax-free, whether or not you itemize deductions on your tax return.