by Chelle Wyatt | Sep 8, 2026 | Accessibility, Accommodations, Communication Access, Emotions, hearing loss, Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss How To, Hearing Loss Inclusion, Limits for hearing loss, Lipreading, Misconceptions, Self Advocacy
When we have hearing loss, there’s a tension between doing what is polite –the normal thing– versus what needs to be done to participate. Following social norms actually limits a hard of hearing person’s experience. Some social norms we are taught as children… Sit... 
by Chelle Wyatt | Dec 11, 2025 | Classes for Hearing Loss, Communication Access, Communication Practices, Communication with Family, Hearing Loss, Lipreading, Misconceptions, Self Advocacy, Speechreading
The first time I took a lipreading class in 2009 as a student, I didn’t see the benefits. Instead of giving me confidence and hope, it felt alien and out of my reach. I did not take the class again for another four years. The second class happened only because I... 
by Chelle Wyatt | Nov 20, 2025 | Accommodations, Assistive Listening Systems, Communication Access, Communication Practices, deaf, Hard of Hearing, Hearing Devices, Hearing Impaired, Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss How To, Misconceptions
Direct sound helps everyone, but it is especially important to those with hearing loss. People tend to think sound is omnidirectional, their voices filling the room around them. Yes and no. Their voice fills the room without direct sound – but clarity is reduced. For... 
by Chelle Wyatt | Oct 8, 2025 | Advocacy, Classes for Hearing Loss, Communication Access, Communication Practices, deaf, Hard of Hearing, Hearing Devices, Hearing Impaired, Hearing Loss Hope, Hearing Loss How To, Limits for hearing loss, Lipreading, Misconceptions, Self Advocacy, Speechreading
Chelle: As a lipreading instructor, I see firsthand how much our classes empower students to lead more confident and connected lives. Because hearing devices have limits, and we are limited without them, new communication skills are required to be successful with... 
by Chelle Wyatt | Sep 11, 2025 | Advocacy, Captioning, Communication Access, deaf, Hard of Hearing, Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss Hope, Hearing Loss Inclusion, Misconceptions, Tribe, hearing loss
September is Deaf Awareness Month. Hearing loss has a spectrum from mild to profound. With a mild hearing loss, we miss a few sounds, or lack volume, or both. Being profound can mean no hearing at all, or, deaf in certain frequencies only. Capitol D denotes the Deaf... 
by Chelle Wyatt | Jul 10, 2025 | Advocacy, Cochlear Implants, Connections, deaf, Emotions, hearing loss, Hard of Hearing, Hearing Aids, Hearing Impaired, Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss Conventions, Misconceptions, Resources for Hearing Loss, Self Advocacy
July is National Disability Pride Month and we want people to know it is possible to have pride in hearing loss. Getting there is gritty, twisted and involves emotional episodes. It takes determination and courage to reach the pride phase. In 2008, I had a big drop... 