As we get older, it's a bit harder to see. I know, I have reading glasses in every room of my house and my husband has become very accustomed to using his phone as a flash light to illuminate a menu in a dark restaurant! The struggle is real my friends!

Trying to see the print on a tiny phone, or even a tablet, can be straining on your eyes. Sometimes it can be so frustrating you just don't even want to bother. Fine, I admit, when I am out and about with my daughter, I generally ask her to look at my phone rather than try to find my glasses! But it doesn't have to be a constant battle. First, I offer you 2 EASY ways to help see things on your phone a bit better. Second, I will explain some additional, slightly more techy, ways to enhance visibility.

Ok, first, turn up that brightness and increase your font size! Most phones default to 'auto brightness', which means the brightness will adjust based on the lighting in your current surroundings. You can turn this feature off (usually something like  Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size). Once auto brightness is turned off, you can set the brightness at whatever is comfortable for you.
*Note - setting the brightness at higher levels does use up more battery, so be aware of your battery life. 
As far as font size, it can be as simple as pinching the text and dragging it out to make it temporarily bigger or going into the settings and changing the size of the font there.

While you are in the settings... there is a wealth of information there that we simply don't take advantage of. Now, you probably didn't know this but your phone likely has 'visibility enhancements' or something similarly labeled. Here you can find all kinds of wonderful features that are designed to help you see things on your phone without straining your eyes. I have an android and mine offers the ability to change the contrast of the phones theme, fonts and keyboard. You can highlight buttons, invert colors and even remove animations if you are sensitive to screen movement.

The magnifier window may just be my favorite! It's a rectangle that literally acts as a magnifier anywhere on the screen! It does take some getting used to, but boy, it sure is nice to see peoples faces in pictures! 

Of course, every phone and tablet is different, so see what works for you! And don't be shy, there are plenty of resources to help you navigate the tech space. Try reaching out to the store where you bought your phone or look up a local non-profit that might be offering tech support. And definitely let me know if I can help you find a resource you need!

When will it be safe to travel is the million dollar question!

Since no one has a crystal ball, the best we can do is pay attention to new regulations and act upon them with our own level of comfort.

'Safe' is a relative term and what is right for one person may not be right for someone else. We all have different risk factors and tolerance, leading travel to be a very personal choice. In order to help my clients who are undecided, I have put together a list of questions that clients can ask themselves to help gauge their own personal readiness. If you decide to travel, please make an informed decision and follow all the proper protocols put in place for everyone's safety.

Questions to ask yourself when trying to decide when it will be safe to travel:

1. Which destinations are experiencing higher numbers and where are there lower incidences?
A destination with a lower number of cases of the virus poses less of a risk than a location that has high instances. These statistics are constantly changing so be sure to check for the most current information. One resource for information is https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php

2. Are you (or a loved one) higher risk?
There is no way to know how the virus will affect you, however, older adults and people with certain underlying medical conditions have a greater risk for severe illness if they are infected with covid-19. Given everyone's personal risk factor, you have to decide if the risk is worth the reward.

3. What are the restrictions?
It is important to understand the restrictions at each point of the trip. Regulations differ between countries, airlines, hotels and even states upon return.  Each component of your trip may have different regulations, so be sure to know what is required, before you go.

4. Does my trip require masks, testing and/or quarantine?
It is difficult to keep up with the requirements since they change so rapidly. You will need to be informed in order to be prepared ahead of time so you can bring the proper equipment (masks) and documentation (testing results) to avoid problems.

5. Does travel insurance help?
Be sure to talk to a licensed insurance agent to get the most accurate information about what is covered and what isn't. What if you get sick during your trip? What if you test positive in destination? Who will pay if you have to quarantine? These are all important questions to address when purchasing trip insurance.

If you have more questions or want to talk about your next vacation - click the button below!

Technology is incredible! Did you know that many hearing aids connect to a smartphone to help your overall experience? It can be very frustrating not to be able to hear on the phone and can lead to avoiding calls with family and friends. But don't let hearing loss get in the way, there are many things you can do when connecting your phone to your hearing aids.

Your hearing aids can essentially act as speakers for your phone, allowing you to listen to things like driving directions or music. You can answer phone calls, often with a simple touch in one ear, then enjoy an entire conversation without ever picking up your phone! 

Once connected, you can use your phone to control many aspects of your hearing aids. Looking at your phone, you can control the volume of each ear, locate your hearing aids if they have been misplaced, and check the status of the battery life.

The possibilities are tremendous! The features available to you depend on the type of hearing aid and the type of smartphone. Be sure to talk to your audiologist or doctor to find out more about how your hearing aid and your smartphone can be used together to enhance your experience!