Talking Hearing Loss

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Beyond the Audiogram : lessons from both sides of the desk

On 23rd April 2026, I had the honour of being the opening presenter at the Australian College of Audiology incorporating HAASA Conference in Broadbeach, Queensland.  The presentation explored something I’ve spent much of my life trying to understand, both personally and professionally, what hearing loss actually feels like to live with.  Not what appears on an audiogram. Not what we measure in…

Beyond the Audiogram : lessons from both sides of the desk

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Travelling with hearing loss means making decisions others never have to think about. At Aqua Park on the Gold Coast, I had to choose: wear my cochlear implant aqua kit and risk losing it — or take it off and experience the day in silence, relying on my kids to keep me informed. It’s one small example of the extra load that comes with holidays when you have hearing loss. I’ve written a new blog about the challenges — and the solutions — and why I don’t believe hearing loss should hold us back from travelling or trying new experiences.

Holidaying With Hearing Loss: How to Travel Confidently Without Missing Out

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Are you fire ready?

With early indications suggesting we’re facing another typically hot and dry Australian summer, it’s important that we all take the time to ensure we’re as fire ready as possible. Even if you don’t live in a high-risk bushfire area, basic precautions still matter, starting with making sure your smoke alarms are installed correctly, have fresh batteries, and are working as they should. A smoke…

Are you fire ready?

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Finding Joy in the sounds of Christmas

The holiday season has a way of stirring up something deep inside us — memories, emotion, nostalgia, even a sense of belonging. For me, it also stirs something else: sound. Not just any sound, but the sounds I thought I’d lost for good. As someone who lives with hearing loss, a hearing aid, and a cochlear implant, this time of year feels like an annual reminder of how far I’ve come and how much…

Finding Joy in the sounds of Christmas

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Living with hearing loss has challenged me in ways I never expected — but it’s also taught me more about resilience, growth, and gratitude than anything else. As the year is coming to an end, I’m sharing the lessons that have shaped how I see sound, connection, and myself.

What hearing loss has taught me about resilience

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A friend of a family member—let’s call him Jack—was recently fired from a global company. Not because of poor performance. Not because he broke the rules. He was fired for using the technology that allows him to hear. Jack has lived with hearing loss since childhood and relies on hearing aids every single day. When he streamed an approved doctor’s call to his aids, cameras made it look like a video call. Before he could properly explain, he was terminated. This story hit me hard. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly disability can be misunderstood—and how badly workplaces need more awareness, empathy, and inclusion. I wrote a full piece about it on my blog, because stories like Jack’s should never be ignored.

When hearing loss meets workplace injustice

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Songs for the Unheard is a powerful album that transforms personal experiences with hearing loss into a passionate musical journey. It captures the raw emotions of isolation, frustration, and resilience, celebrating the triumph of reclaiming identity. Through ten impactful tracks, it gives a voice to the struggles and strength found in silent battles, inspiring empowerment and connection.

Songs for the Unheard – An album journey through hearing loss

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For years, I thought the best way to deal with my hearing loss was to stay quiet. I didn’t want to be “that kid with hearing loss” or later “the guy with the hearing problem.” But silence didn’t protect me—it isolated me. My world grew smaller, and I missed out on so much. Everything began to change when I found the courage to speak up. Advocacy doesn’t always mean big campaigns or speeches. Sometimes it’s as simple as asking someone to repeat themselves, requesting captions, or suggesting a quieter place to talk. These small moments can change everything. In my latest blog, I share why I decided to stop hiding my hearing loss—and why speaking up matters, no matter where you are in your journey. If you’ve been staying quiet, I challenge you: try one small act of advocacy today. You might be surprised at how much it changes.

Why I speak up about hearing loss—and why you should too

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Struggling to connect with someone who has hearing loss? It might not be what you’re saying—it’s how you’re saying it. Prosody to the rescue! #HearingLossAwareness #CommunicationMatters #Audiology #CochlearImplant #AssistiveListening #Prosody #Inclusion #HearingCare

How prosody can help you talk to someone with hearing loss (without sounding like a robot)

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👂💛 Do you have a loved one with hearing loss? Whether it’s a parent, partner, friend or child, supporting them doesn’t have to be complicated—it just takes a little patience, understanding, and the right tools. In my latest blog post, I share practical ways you can help—from clearer communication to small everyday changes that make a big difference. 📲 Read it here: [Insert Blog Link] Because no one should feel left out of the conversation.

Supporting loved ones with hearing loss

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💡 Hearing aids and cochlear implants are just the beginning… Over the years, I’ve used a range of assistive listening devices that helped me stay connected at work, enjoy music and TV, feel safer at home—and simply hear life better. In my latest blog post, I share the devices that truly changed my life (and might just help you too). From the Roger Pen to the Apple Watch, and even a vibrating bed-shaker 🔔—this is real talk from someone who lives it every day. #HearingLoss #AssistiveTechnology #CochlearImplant #HearingAids #Accessibility #DeafAwareness #LivingWithHearingLoss #DisabilityTech #HearingHealth #HearingSupport #InclusionMatters

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🎧 “I wasn’t being difficult — I just couldn’t hear.” As a teenager, I spent years pretending everything was fine, when inside I was silently struggling with hearing loss. I didn’t know how to explain it. I didn’t even want to. All I knew was that I felt different—and alone. In my latest blog, I open up about what it was really like growing up with hearing loss, the impact it had on my confidence, and the moments that still stay with me today. This one’s for teens who feel unseen, for parents who are trying to understand, and for teachers who might be the first to notice when something isn’t right. 👉 Read the full story: [insert blog link] #HearingLoss #TeenMentalHealth #InvisibleDisabilities #HearingAwareness #DeafAwareness #ParentingSupport #TeacherLife #MyStory #CochlearImplant #EducationMatters

My teenage years with hearing loss: What I wish I knew then

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What It’s Like to Live With a Cochlear Implant (8 Years On)

Eight years ago, my world changed. After more than two decades of total silence in my left ear, I heard again—not through the memory of what sound used to be, and not through the dull amplification of hearing aids, but through something extraordinary: a cochlear implant. I still remember the date—March 9, 2017—my switch-on day. It marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another I…

What It’s Like to Live With a Cochlear Implant (8 Years On)

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Imagine an audiology book that opens with a car crash and a receptionist rearranging furniture like it’s an Olympic sport. That’s exactly how Kevin Sanders Kettletown sets the tone in Audiologist Wow! This book is part sitcom, part case study, and part therapy session for anyone who’s ever worked in a hearing clinic—or even just sat in the waiting room wondering if hearing aids only work during a full moon. It’s chaotic, absurd, and surprisingly moving. Kettletown captures the highs, the lows, and the “did-that-actually-just-happen?” moments that come with trying to help people hear in a world that doesn’t stop shouting. Whether you're an audiologist, front of house staff, or someone who’s ever had to explain for the tenth time that “no, hearing aids don’t fix everything,” this book is equal parts relatable and hilarious.

Audiologist Wow! – A comic, chaotic look inside the clinic

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I’m all about podcasts, especially MrBallen's tales! He recently shared a story about a rock guitarist who’s suffering from hyperacusis, making everyday sounds painfully loud. The post also breaks down hyperacusis and recruitment, two hearing issues that confuse many. Knowing the difference is super important for managing your hearing health!

Understanding Hyperacusis vs Recruitment

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So, on a train ride, I overheard this young woman excited about her bone conduction headphones, which her doctor said were safer for her ears. But the truth is, they can still damage hearing if the volume's too high. Bottom line: enjoy them, but keep the volume in check to protect your ears!

Are Bone Conduction Headphones Safe for Your Hearing?

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I only recommend products and services that I have personally used and genuinely believe in. About six months ago, I organised a Konnekt Videophone for my elderly parents, both of whom have hearing loss. One of my parents also lives with dementia, which makes communication even more challenging. They had struggled for years with phone calls, whether on their landline or mobile. Being able to read captions of what the other person is saying — while also seeing them face-to-face during a video call — has made their conversations so much easier.

Never struggle on the phone again