If you have a child with hearing loss, you probably remember the feeling you had when you first found out. 

Raising a deaf child has had its ups-and-downs, but for the better it has changed my life.  

Here’s what I’ve learned, and what I’d like to share with you:

What is the key of a happy life? Living it passionately, says Karen Putz, author of a new book on the topic.

“My life changed dramatically when I began focusing on bringing passion and joy into my life,” she says.

Karen, who was born with “normal” hearing, became hard-of-hearing after getting sick in elementary school and severely deaf at age 19 after tripping over a wake while barefoot water skiing.

“I spent many, many years hiding my hearing aid,” she says. “It wasn’t until I became deaf as a teen that I began to embrace a whole new different way to live.”

Ask Anna is a weekly advice column for the hearing loss community.

Dear Anna,

During the summer months, my children are constantly in the pool. Every so often one of them will come back from the pool with swimmer’s ear. I am worried that if this happens too often it will affect their hearing. Can swimmer’s ear cause hearing loss?  – Concerned mother

Ask Anna is a weekly advice column for the hearing loss community. 

Dear Anna,

During the summer months, I have a hard time taking care of my hearing aids. I am worried that they are being over-exposed to moisture because the humidity levels are higher. Do you have any tips for drying out my hearing aids and keeping them in good condition during the summer?

I have spent a lot of money on my hearing aids and I don’t want to dry them out incorrectly or damage them in any way. – Sarah in Miami

Ask Anna is a weekly advice column for the hearing loss community.   

Dear Anna,

“I have severe-to-profound hearing loss and currently wear a hearing aid that goes behind my ear. I would like something a bit smaller. Are there any in-the-ear  hearing aids that are suitable for severe-profound hearing loss? Which is the most powerful?” – Charles in Dallas

Ask Anna is a weekly advice column for the hearing loss community. 

Dear Anna,

Sometimes when I cup my hand over my hearing aids I hear a whistling sound. Is this supposed to happen? It doesn’t bother me when I’m wearing them, but I wonder if other people also hear it. Why does a hearing aid squeal? Do new hearing aids whistle? – Susan in California

Although life has certainly improved since he received his cochlear implants, we still face challenges with Harry being deaf. 

However these challenges present themselves we seem to be able to deal with them and resolve them with few problems so far.

Most people think that hearing loss is associated with old age, but in fact anybody can have a hearing loss, including teenagers like me!

I’m turning 20 next month, so with 7 years of experience, here’s the dl on what no one tells you about being a deaf teen:

Ask Anna is a weekly advice column for the hearing loss community.   

Dear Anna,

My father has a difficult time communicating with his friends and family. He watches TV with the volume too loud, and we always have to repeat things we say to him. His doctor has told him that he has hearing loss from his work in a factory, but he cannot afford hearing aids. I’ve heard that “hunting aids” or Personal Sound Amplification Products can be bought over-the-counter and for less money. Do these work for people with hearing loss? What is the difference between a PSAP and Hearing Aid? – James in Michigan