Love, hearing loss and Bluetooth settings

Barry and I were on vacation in the Bahamas, soaking up the sun and enjoying island life until he caught a nasty virus. The next morning, he woke up and said, “I can’t hear out of my right ear.”

Just like that, his hearing was gone.

He saw a doctor on the island who put him on a steroid immediately. Once we got home, he started a series of injections right into his ear to try to restore the hearing. Nothing worked.

🧏🏼 That’s when reality set in 

He’d permanently lost the hearing in one ear.

At first, it was just little things. We avoided our favorite restaurants because they were too noisy. Conversations turned into misunderstandings. I’d start to tell a story, then stop halfway through because it was frustrating for both of us when he couldn’t quite catch the details.

Barry, like a lot of people, didn’t want to get a hearing aid. “They make you look old,” he’d say. And I get it, no one wants to feel like they’re falling apart.

But hearing loss doesn’t just affect one person. It changes how we connect with the people we love. We’ve been married 25 years. I wanted us back.

📱 Tech to the rescue 

I helped him tweak his iPhone when he first lost his hearing.

  • I went into Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Balance to shift sound to his good ear.
  • While there, I turned on LED Flash for Alerts for texts and calls so he wouldn’t miss them.
  • I also activated Background Sounds to cut out unwanted chatter.

That really didn’t help much.

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Signs your phone or computer is infected with a virus or keylogger

No matter your device, a hacker with enough gumption and know-how can break in.

Here are surefire ways to know if your system has been hacked and what you can do to fix or prevent it, brought to you by sponsor TotalAV. Your best defense against viruses, keyloggers and other malware? A solid security suite.

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Does your phone have a virus?

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Is your phone a cyber crook’s target? Easy answer: Yes. I show you what you can do to protect yourself, in 60 seconds. 

“What was that?” That used to be my husband’s catchphrase after a virus took away the hearing in his right ear. Thankfully, hearing aids changed everything. These tiny tech marvels have made a huge difference in his life. If your hearing isn’t what it used to be, maybe you need hearing aids. You’ll be amazed at what you’ve been missing.*

🚨 A sneaky virus could be lurking. It’s better to be safe than sorry, which is why I trust TotalAV. For just $19 for the first year, you get rock-solid antivirus protection on up to five devices. It’s smart, simple and keeps your tech safe without breaking the bank.

Here’s what it looks like when a virus takes over your computer

A slow computer can turn you into a detective. You start investigating the clues, trying to find out what happened. You might even Google “How to tell if you have a virus” or “Warning signs your computer is infected.”

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8 signs that your computer has been hacked

If your device is connected to the internet, it’s vulnerable to hacks. It’s as simple as that. Cybercriminals are always coming up with new tricks to get into your gadgets and you should be aware of that.

Fortunately, there are usually signs that your device has been compromised. When it comes to smartphones, this can include spikes in data usage, battery drainage and changes to your home screen, among other indicators. Tap or click here for information on diagnosing and solving phone hacks.

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I spy a virus: If your connection’s dragging, a virus might be the culprit. I trust and recommend TotalAV. It’s just $19 a year to protect up to five devices on Windows, Mac, Android and more. That’s total peace of mind for your phone, laptop and tablet.

🚨 A sneaky virus could be to blame. I always say it’s better to be safe than sorry, which is why I trust TotalAV. For just $19 for the first year, you get rock-solid antivirus protection on up to five devices. It’s smart, simple and keeps your tech safe without breaking the bank.

🔎 I spy a virus: If your connection’s dragging, a virus might be the culprit. I trust and recommend TotalAV. It’s just $19 a year to protect up to five devices on Windows, Mac, Android and more. That’s total peace of mind for your phone, laptop and tablet.

I spy a virus: If your connection’s dragging, a virus might be the culprit. I trust and recommend TotalAV. It’s just $19 a year to protect up to five devices on Windows, Mac, Android and more. That’s total peace of mind for your phone, laptop and tablet.

🔎 I spy a virus: If your connection’s dragging, a virus might be the culprit. I trust and recommend TotalAV. It’s just $19 a year to protect up to five devices on Windows, Mac, Android and more. That’s total peace of mind for your phone, laptop and tablet.

🛡️ 1 smart move for 1 billion malware threats: Don’t wait for a virus to wreck your files or freeze your screen. A good antivirus zaps ransomware, spyware and other digital creeps before they can do harm. Lock down five devices for just $19. Yep, cheaper than your last late-night Uber Eats run.

A surprising use for the Instant Pot: Disinfect your face mask

If you’ve been spending as much time indoors as we have, you’ve probably wanted to try your hand at some cooking. It’s a great way to pass the hours, and it’s a critical skill that everyone should learn. Plus, it’s fun to do and makes your home smell delicious.

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Disinfect your phone with a double shot of UV and ozone

Your phone can be an effective virus carrier, and we’re not talking about the virtual kind. Disinfect it with a burst of ozone particles and a burst of pathogen-killing UV-C light waves. In less than 7 minutes, your phone or other handheld items are germ-free and safe to handle.

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Coronavirus conspiracy theories on social media

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In times of crisis, we’re all searching for reliable information. My advice: Steer clear of, well, most of social media. Here are some of the bizarre conspiracy theories nuts are spouting off right now, from government power grabs to 5G’s role in spreading the virus.

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The virus and the beer

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The coronavirus has people scared — there’s no doubt about that. Naturally, people are turning to Google for answers. And you’ll be shocked at just how much one search term is blowing up.