Blake Cadwell

I first noticed my hearing loss in high school — on phone calls, in group conversations, across the dinner table. I leaned in, read lips, and got good at laughing along even when I didn’t quite catch the joke. I told myself it wasn’t a big deal. I had hacks that got me by. But hearing loss has a way of chipping away at connection and confidence — even when you think you’re managing just fine. For me, getting help wasn’t just a matter of money or technology. It’s about identity.

Updated July 17, 2024 at 12:38 PM 👋 Looking for a starter hearing aid? ‍Many of our readers consider Jabra Enhance Select. ‍ 💲Half the price of traditional hearing aids 🤲 Professional care included via Telehealth 🦻 Audiology-grade technology. Apple sells north of 100M pairs of AirPods every year. Early Apple fans will remember the good old days of free low-tech corded headphones that came with every iPhone.

Updated July 16, 2024 at 9:30 AM Key Takeaways: If you're considering giving hearing aids as a gift, it's worth careful consideration before you gift them hearing aids. Not everyone with hearing loss is ready to try hearing aids, so it's best to ensure first that this is something they're open to doing. Hearing aids are not like glasses. There is an adjustment process with hearing aids, and your recipient should also be open to and aware of this process.