Toronto, ON - A section designed specifically for people with hearing loss is the newest addition to the popular blog Hearinghealthmatters.org. Edited by Gael Hannan, The Better Hearing Consumer will advise readers in their pursuit of living successfully with hearing loss. That means, says Hannan, "aiming for good communication in every area of our lives."Having overcome a lifelong hearing loss to become an accomplished writer, actor, and public speaker, Gael Hannan is also internationally known for her leadership role in helping others lead fulfilling lives despite being hard of hearing.
Her first article on The Better Hearing Consumer, posted August 17, offers a good sample of her candid and lively approach. She writes:
"...Living with hearing loss every day doesn't necessarily mean we're good at it. On the contrary, most of us suck at being hard of hearing or deaf! What we do excel at, however, is ignoring our own needs, devising ways to hide our condition, and, worst of all, meekly putting up with inaccessible conditions, simply because we don't know how to make it otherwise."In addition to blogging on Hearinghealthmatters.org, Gael is a director of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association and was a lead developer of the Hearing Foundation of Canada's award-winning Sound Sense hearing awareness program for elementary students. She also delivers corporate sensitivity training sessions on relating to employees and clients with hearing loss.
Sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, and always insightful, The Better Hearing Consumer will offer people with hearing loss and those who care about them a valuable new resource to turn to.
In welcoming Gael to hearinghealthmatters.org, David Kirkwood, one of the founding editors, said, "When we started our blog, one of our goals was to provide an online forum where providers and consumers of hearing health could share their ideas and opinions with one another. Because of her life experience, her marvelous communication skills, and her strong commitment to the cause of enhancing the lives of people with hearing loss, Gael is ideally equipped to help us achieve that goal."
He added, "I'm sure that The Better Hearing Consumer will quickly become must reading for hard-of-hearing people looking for advice and encouragement from someone who's been there."
