Thirteen years ago, my memoir Confessions of a Lip Reading Mom hit the bookshelves. It detailed the emotional and mental health impact of having hearing loss while raising my three children, during the first six years after diagnosis. In the latest episode of the Deafinitely Talking podcast, I speak with Dr. Anne McIntosh, president of … Continue reading
In How I Hear: Confessions of a Lip Reading Mom, I recount my journey with progressive hearing loss, diagnosed at age 27 shortly after the birth of my first child. The unexpected news thrusts me into a life of constant adjustment as familiar sounds—doorbells, smoke alarms, and my babies’ cries—begin to fade. While raising three healthy … Continue reading
Shanna Groves with Deafinitely Talking and LipreadingMom.com talks with Gael Hannan, a globally recognized voice in accessibility whose writing and presentations have empowered people with hearing loss around the world. The topic is Defying Labels and Embracing Advocacy. In this podcast, Shanna and Gael discuss: • The various ways people identify with their hearing loss or … Continue reading
Shanna Groves with Deafinitely Talking and LipreadingMom.com talks with audiologist and founder of Mama Hu Hears Dr. Michelle Hu. The topic is Communication at the Holidays. In this podcast, Shanna and Michelle discuss: – Hearing loss communication challenges and accessibility strategies– Growing up with hearing loss and guiding parents as an audiologist– Making the holidays … Continue reading
The week after CI activation, I plopped a favorite CD into the car player that flashed the song’s name on the screen – a familiar song. When the opening instrumentals began, I was astounded. Instead of drums and guitars, I heard screeching static. When the vocalist sang, I could distinguish it from the opening music. … Continue reading
I recently met my friend, Rebecca, for tea and to talk about our mutual interest in writing. It was the first meet-up with a friend in a public place since the cochlear implant activation. We chose a table with a seat facing a wall. Sound tends to bounce around and echo in noisy tea rooms … Continue reading
My husband and I went to the theater a week after cochlear implant surgery. We saw the documentary “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” about Marlee’s career as a deaf actress and advocate for the deaf community. The film, directed by deaf actress Shoshannah Stern, explores Marlee’s rise to fame after winning the Best Actress Oscar … Continue reading
The dark side of being a deaf extrovert is feeling cut off from people. When I can’t hear conversations, I feel isolated – while everyone else mingles seamlessly, hears the nuances in a speaker’s voice, and catches the joke. I nod along, smile like everyone else, and pretend to hear the punchline. I don’t want … Continue reading
Hitting the open road is one of my favorite warm weather activities. My family and I have traveled Route 66 twice and frequented highways in the U.S. West, South, and East. We’ve visited places like Oklahoma and Texas more times than I can count to see family and friends. Despite the joys of summer travel, … Continue reading
It is an honor to announce that I have been selected as a finalist in the 2022 Oticon Focus on People Awards, a national competition that recognizes individuals who are helping to change perceptions of what it means to live with hearing loss. I am one of three finalists in the Advocacy category, a category … Continue reading
Lipreading Mom 