Copdaz Hearing is an independent guide to hearing technology and accessibility. We explain hearing aids, captions, sign language and the everyday tools that make sound and speech easier to access, in plain language and without a sales pitch. The site is new, and we are building it one carefully researched page at a time.
What Copdaz Hearing Is
We are a small, independent publication focused on one subject: how people with hearing loss, and the people around them, can find, understand and use the technology and resources available to them.
Hearing tech has changed quickly. Over-the-counter hearing aids became a legal category in the United States in 2022. Mainstream earbuds and phones now include hearing features that once required a specialist device. Live captioning runs on ordinary smartphones. This shift opens up real choices, and it also creates confusion. Our job is to cut through that confusion.
What We Cover
OTC and Prescription Hearing Aids
We explain how over-the-counter hearing aids differ from prescription devices fitted by a hearing professional. OTC aids are intended for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Prescription aids serve a wider range of hearing needs and come with professional fitting and follow-up. We cover features, fit, apps, battery life, comfort and the practical questions people ask before they buy.
Hearing Features in Earbuds and Phones
Many phones and wireless earbuds now offer hearing-related settings, such as audio tuning, conversation boost, live listen modes and hearing tests built into an app. We look at what these features do well, where they fall short and how they compare with dedicated hearing aids.
Caption Apps and Devices
Captions matter for phone calls, video, meetings, classrooms and face-to-face conversation. We cover live caption apps, built-in captioning on phones and computers, captioned telephones and other display devices, with attention to accuracy, privacy and ease of use.
ASL and Sign Language Basics
We offer introductory material on American Sign Language and sign language more broadly. These pages are a starting point for curious learners, family members and coworkers. They are not a substitute for learning from Deaf teachers and fluent signers, which we encourage.
Hearing Health Basics
We explain common topics in hearing health in general terms: how hearing loss is often described, why noise exposure matters, what a hearing test involves and when it makes sense to see a professional.
Assistive Listening and Alerting Devices
Hearing aids are only one part of the picture. We cover assistive listening systems such as hearing loops, FM and infrared systems, personal amplifiers and TV listening devices. We also cover alerting devices that use light, vibration or phone notifications for doorbells, smoke alarms, alarm clocks and baby monitors.
Deaf Culture and Accessibility
Deaf culture has its own languages, history, community and values. Many Deaf people do not see deafness as something that needs fixing, and we respect that view. We write about accessibility, communication access and Deaf culture with care, and we aim to reflect the perspectives of Deaf and hard of hearing people accurately.
Hearing Tech News
We follow product launches, regulatory changes, software updates and research that affect hearing technology users, and we explain what each development means in practice.
OTC Hearing Aid Price Tracker
Prices for OTC hearing aids vary widely and change often. Our OTC hearing aid price tracker records listed prices for common models so readers can see typical ranges and spot changes over time. Prices shift with sales, retailers and bundles, so always confirm the current price with the seller before buying.
Our Independence
Copdaz Hearing is an independent publication. We are not affiliated with any deaf community organization, nonprofit, outreach program, government agency or service provider. We do not speak on behalf of any of these groups, and none of them reviews or approves our content.
We also do not provide local services. We do not offer hearing tests, device fittings, interpreting, audiology care, counseling or in-person support of any kind. If you need those services, contact a licensed hearing professional, a qualified interpreter service or an organization in your area that provides them directly.
If we ever take on advertising or other commercial relationships, we will disclose them clearly on the pages they affect.
Not Medical Advice
Everything on Copdaz Hearing is general information for educational purposes. It is not medical advice, and it cannot replace an evaluation by a qualified professional.
See a doctor or hearing professional promptly if you notice sudden hearing loss, hearing loss in one ear, ear pain, drainage, dizziness or ringing that does not go away. Sudden hearing loss in particular should be treated as urgent.
How We Approach Our Work
- Accuracy first. We check facts against manufacturer documentation, regulatory guidance and other authoritative sources, and we update pages when things change.
- Plain language. We explain technical terms instead of hiding behind them.
- No hype. We say clearly what a product or feature does and does not do.
- Respect. We write about hearing loss, deafness and Deaf culture without pity or condescension.
- Corrections. When we get something wrong, we fix it.
Who This Site Is For
Copdaz Hearing is for adults exploring hearing aids for the first time, people who already use hearing technology and want to get more from it, family members and friends trying to communicate better, and anyone interested in captions, sign language and accessibility. You do not need any technical or medical background to use the site.
A Note on Where We Are
Copdaz Hearing is a new site. Our coverage will grow over time, and some topics will get deeper treatment as we go. Our aim stays the same: to be a clear, trustworthy and independent place to understand hearing technology and accessibility.
Who writes here
Copdaz Hearing is written by a small team of writers, each covering their own part of the site, and every article is fact-checked by our standards editor before it is published.
Bethany Crowder
Bethany Crowder covers hearing aids, earbud hearing features, hearing loss basics and hearing tech news, from OTC device comparisons to tinnitus explainers. She works from manufacturer documentation, FDA records and published research, checks prices and feature claims against official sources, and keeps health topics general so readers know when to see a specialist. Read Bethany’s articles
Rafael Dunham
Rafael Dunham covers captions and accessibility apps, ASL and sign language, assistive listening tech and Deaf culture, including hearing loops, caption glasses and ADA basics. He reads developer documentation, published accessibility guidelines and Deaf-led learning resources, checks which features and platforms each tool supports, and writes so readers can find practical options without jargon. Read Rafael’s articles
Lorraine Ostrowski, Standards Editor
Lorraine Ostrowski is the standards editor and fact-checks every article before publication against the sources cited, from device specifications and prices to ADA guidance and sign descriptions. Anything she cannot confirm is corrected, labelled or removed, and she pays close attention to health wording so readers get clear information that never reads as a diagnosis.