Toronto — The Hearinghealthmatters.org blog is adding a section designed specifically for people with hearing loss. The new section, “The Better Hearing Consumer,” will be edited by Gael Hannan, who will advise consumers on living successfully with hearing loss.
Hannan (pictured) grew up with a progressive hearing loss that is now severe-to-profound, yet has overcome these challenges to become an accomplished writer, actor, and public speaker. She is also internationally known
for her leadership role in helping others lead fulfilling lives, despite having hearing loss.
Hannan’s 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, Hannan 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.
David Kirkwood, one of the founding editors of Hearinghealthmatters.org, 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.”
SOURCE: Hearinghealthmatters.org
