What Did You Say by Monique E. Hammond Review!

About the Book

What Did You Say? is an account based on the author’s own experience with sudden left-sided deafness and equilibrium problems. The author shares her story with the readers—what happened to her and how it affected her. More importantly, she talks about what she learned from the experience.

What Did You Say? is an introduction to ear disorders and hearing loss. It is meant to provide basic yet needed information to a broad audience—people who deal with hearing loss of their own, those who want to understand the challenges that loved ones with hearing issues face, and those who are simply curious. Young people will be sure to obtain revealing insights into the truths and struggles of hearing loss, which might convince them to become inspired to save and protect their ears.

The Table of Contents is shown below and additional excerpts are available on the excerpts page.

About the Author

MONIQUE HAMMOND was born and raised in Luxembourg, Europe.

She graduated with a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Minnesota with high distinction. Monique is a registered pharmacist who has worked in retail stores and in hospital pharmacies in Europe, the United States, and Australia. Her priorities have always been patient safety and advocacy as well as health education and disease prevention.

Monique has done extensive public speaking on health issues and has published newspaper and magazine articles both at home and overseas. She produced and hosted her own health-focused public access TV show “Over-the-Counter” in Minneapolis.

Following her family’s assignment to Australia, she wrote a book on the relocation challenges for American expatriate families working overseas. A local university used the text as required reading for international business classes. She also contributed articles to Mobility, the magazine of the Employee Relocation Council.

Monique entered the world of hearing loss in fall 2005 when — in a matter of four hours — she went totally deaf in her left ear. This life-changing event put her on track to research issues regarding ear and hearing disorders.

Monique was appointed by the governor of Minnesota to the MCDHH (Commission for Deaf, Deafblind and Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans) where she finished two three-year terms and acted as vice-chair. She has served on multiple hearing-related advisory committees and is vice- president (2012-13) and president (2013-14) of HLAA TC (Hearing Loss Association of America, Twin Cities). Monique is also a member of the ATA (American Tinnitus Association).

My Review:

This book taught me more about the anatomy of ears then I ever learned in high school or college. I can not believe all of the research and reading the author must have done. My dad had a stroke during open heart surgery and became blind. I was curious to read this book because I thought that I was well versed on the senses. Boy was I wrong. 

According to this books press release 1 in 5 people over the age of 12 have hearing loss in one or both ears. That is a pretty big number. This book is for anyone that suffers hearing loss or knows someone that does. However that is not all. It is also a story of self determination to overcome health issues. I also feel that this would be a good book for medical students to do a report on. All ear doctors should have this book in their office, if only for the very easily understood diagrams and explanations.

The author did a great job of explaining Hearing, balance, and the overall ear. I was able to easily follow learn and understand what the author was trying to tell me. What a great testament to Monique's character that she has turned a loss into something helpful for so many other people. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own!