Table of Contents

In this issue of Hearing Life, you’ll meet our cover subject, Matt Hay, in “Nowhere Man.” The Beatles gave him “Help” when he needed it. Songs like “Nowhere Man,” “Yesterday,” and “Blackbird” had a way of summing up his feelings when his hearing started to go. He turned to their music when his auditory brain stem implant helped him restore some of his hearing. Audiologist Amy Bernstein takes us through the evolution of hearing aids in “From Cow to Now.” Golf pro Herb Rubenstein shows how improving your hearing can improve your golf game. Derek Berry recaps HLAA’s first-ever virtual Experience HLAA! Stephen Frazier shares how Richard Davila II, owner of Livingston Hearing, decided it was time for his company to “get in the hearing loop.” Psychologist Michael Harvey relays how sharing a diagnosis of hearing loss with others can result in shared experiences of transport, self-realization, self-reflection, and commitments to action. And finally, Gayle Raif offers sage advice and life strategies for those who are newly-diagnosed with hearing loss.
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Nowhere Man
By Matt Hay
The Beatles gave Matt Hay “Help” when he needed it. Songs like “Nowhere Man,” “Yesterday,” and “Blackbird” had a way of summing up his feelings when his hearing started to go. He later turned to their music when his auditory brainstem implant helped him recover some hearing.
Thoughts From Our Board Chair
By Richard Einhorn
Disparities in Hearing Health Care: A Successful Approach
From Cow to Now—A Brief History of Hearing Aids
By Amy Bernstein
Audiologist Amy Bernstein takes us on a tour of hearing aids through the ages, sharing the tremendous strides that have enabled people with hearing loss to have better communication access and engage with the world around them.
Improving Your Hearing Improves Your Game
By Herb Rubenstein
Seeing well is essential to being a good golfer. Herb Rubenstein explains how hearing well also helps a golfer play better and is an asset that helps players at all levels, from beginner to pro.
Experience HLAA!—A Virtual Success
By Derek Berry
On June 18 and 19, HLAA hosted Experience HLAA!, its first virtual convention. The event featured two days of informational and educational webinars on subjects ranging from regenerative medicine and workplace advocacy to tinnitus as part of the annual Research Symposium.
Chapters in Action: Why it is Important to Have Leaders for Our HLAA Chapters
By Carla Beyer-Smolin and Debbie Mohney
Livingston Gets in the Loop
By Stephen O. Frazier
In 2019, Richard Davila II, owner of Livingston Hearing, took on a new challenge when he decided it was time for his company to “get in the hearing loop.”
Transforming Hearing Loss to Become a Double-Story via Definitional Ceremonies
By Michael A. Harvey
A diagnosis of hearing loss morphs into peoples’ double stories that morphs into shared experiences of transport, self-realization, self-reflection, and commitments to action, which then morphs into shared contributions to the growth of others in the group.
Walk4Hearing
By Walk Staff
The Walk4Hearing Goes Virtual
Young Adults Hear (YAH!) Committee
Zina Jawadi
Advocacy, educations and resources for young adults with hearing loss.
Acquired Hearing Loss
By Gayle Raif
Gayle Raif, who became deaf at age 33, offers sage advice and life strategies for those who are newly-diagnosed with hearing loss.