Let’s go back in time to the winter of 2001 when I became Lipreading Mom… My days were spent holding a blissfully sleeping newborn boy. My nights were spent holding a wide-awake newborn boy since he developed this sleep-all-day, night-owl fascination. When my ears rang uncontrollably, I thought it was a side effect of sleep … Continue reading
Filed under Lipreading Mom’s Confessions …
Butterflies Are Free … But Hearing Aids Sure Ain’t!
My first set of hearing aids were purchased in 2003. They weren’t cheap, and my insurance company didn’t help with the bill. But my credit card company was happy for the next six months it took me to pay off the hearing aid charges. Why are these behind-the-ear devices that are so vital to Lipreading … Continue reading
Lipreading Mom Finds Peace Through Psalm 91
It was an easy pregnancy, and my newborn arrived into the world healthy and beautiful. I should have been a glowing new mom. Instead, I cried more than I smiled and felt gripping anxiety. My thoughts were unfocused, I had trouble sleeping, and–emotionally, I just couldn’t enjoy being a mom. At the time, I had … Continue reading
Lipreading Mom Attempts to Blog While Playing with Choo-Choo Trains
As I write this, my 3-year-old boy sits outside pushing his Thomas trains on the driveway. Thank goodness for an iPad that allows Lipreading Mom to type from the comfort of a folding outside chair while he plays. Oops… spoke too soon. My boy now wants to go play inside. (Short writing pause as we … Continue reading
How Do I Lip Read a Preschooler?
In two weeks, my kids will start school again. This is the time of year many stay at home moms unashamedly live for: moments to themselves. Time to pursue a hobby or endulge in massages and Starbucks. Should I get a Mom of the Year Award because I fall into the category of I Don’t … Continue reading
The Only Whispers I Can Hear
Would life be better if I could hear better? Would I notice the subtle differences in people’s voices, or the tones used in their speech? Or be able to hear the door bell ring or the microwave beep, or the wall clock tick? Or distinguish instantly who is calling me by listening to voice, not … Continue reading
Depression and Hearing Loss
Sometimes, Lipreading Mom receives comments that are too important not to share with readers. This is one of them. One of my readers–I’ll call him “Ben”– shared how his new hearing loss has caused some depression. This is Ben’s letter and my reply… Dear Lipreading Mom, What do you do about depression? I started losing … Continue reading
Adventures in Tinnitus (1): Make the noise STOP!
Oh, to have a quiet moment. Welcome to the world of tinnitus. It’s a condition characterized by a perceived ringing, buzzing or whistling sound in the ears. Lipreading Mom’s 6-year-old daughter recently shared she can’t hear the teacher at school well because of the sounds inside her ears. Her school audiologist admits there isn’t an objective … Continue reading
Do Hearing Aids Belong in the Gym?
A few weeks ago, Lipreading Mom got her rear off the couch and headed to the gym. Entering the workout center after the long hiatus made me feel naked. I’d left two items from my wardrobe behind: my ear buds and hearing aids. While fellow gym goers suited up for an hour of elliptical skiing, … Continue reading
Lipreading Mom’s 5 Tips for a Happy Holiday with Hearing Loss
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. But for the 1 in 10 people with hearing loss, it’s also the most challenging time for communication. Lipreading Mom should know. I’ve had 10 years of holidaytime hearing loss experience. The whole family is packed around the dinner table, busily chatting about their good fortune and laying … Continue reading
