One Couple’s Success Story – Just in Time for Better Hearing & Speech Month
Each May, speech language pathologists, audiologists and other specialists in the field of hearing, speech, and pragmatics come together to celebrate Better Hearing & Speech Month. The American Speech Language and Hearing Association hosts the event every year – each with a unique theme. This year, the theme is “Communication: The Key to Connection”.
It’s easy to see how the theme rings true. Think about the last time you felt truly connected to another human being. Maybe it was last month’s camping trip with the family or when you gave your granddaughter advice while driving her to school. Whatever your specific memory, chances are it was a time you had great communication with someone you love.
When there is a breakdown in communication because of a speech or hearing issue, we may begin to feel disconnected from those we love – even if we don’t even realize that its happening. It is important to recognize these issues as soon as they occur as did the couple outlined below. Should your loved one need hearing help, we offer the latest in hearing aid technology in the Springfield area, including Ozark, Nixa, Republic, Willard, Rogersville, Strafford and Aurora.
Meet Liane and Marc Carter
To honor Better Hearing & Speech Month – or BHSM – we’ve decided to share a unique success story from one couple based in New York. When deciding to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary, Liane and Marc Carter didn’t originally plan on couple’s hearing aids. Like most people with hearing loss, Liane and Marc went multiple years before admitting they had a hearing problem.
When miscommunications happened between them, the couple called them “mondegreen moments”. Typically reserved for mishearing lyrics in a song, “mondegreen moments” became a staple in Liane & Marc’s relationship. In her piece for The Washington Post, Liane details one time she thought her husband was pointing out the “silver towels” when driving down an unfamiliar street. While Liane was straining to see glittery laundry, her husband didn’t understand why she didn’t notice the huge “solar panels” on the homes.
“It’s not that you don’t hear, you do. It’s about intelligibility,” Liane notes. While Liane had been struggling with hearing issues for eight years and Marc for five, it was an article they read connecting hearing loss to cognitive decline that encouraged them to actually commit to taking care of their hearing health.
Liane and Marc have been sporting matching hearing aids for about three months now. In her piece, Liane describes how the aids have helped Marc (a musician) better enjoy his craft, have helped in making restaurant conversation’s easier, and have caused workplaces interactions to be less stressful for both of them. The couple loves the fact that their hearing aids connect to an iPhone app that can be changed at the click of a button and the streaming Bluetooth capabilities. Although Ms. Carter notes that “hearing aids aren’t perfect”, she and Marc seem thrilled to have made the move towards better hearing, communication, and connection.
To read Liane & Marc’s full story, click here.
Better Hearing and Speech Month
If you’d like to follow in this couple’s footsteps or are interested in learning more about the goals and objectives of Better Hearing and Speech Month, visit their website here: http://www.asha.org/bhsm/. ASHA’s goal in hosting BHSM is to spread awareness and education regarding the issues that affect our abilities to successfully hear, communicate and connect with each other. Help spread the word by joining the social media campaign, using the #BHSM hashtag or changing your profile picture to reflect the cause’s filter.
BHSM is also hosting a “Speaking Up for Communication” campaign, where your participation could earn you awesome prizes such as BHSM gear and Amazon gift cards.
Hearing Wellness Solutions is Here
If you’re wondering about changes in your hearing, reach out to us at Hearing Wellness Solutions or your local hearing aid specialist today. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, an anniversary or just Better Hearing and Speech Month, there is no better time than May to check in on your hearing health. How many more quality conversations could you enjoy with those you love if you could not only hear, but also understand the conversations happening around you?
After all, communication truly is the key to connection.