Kim's picks

Hearing aids 101: How they work and Kim’s top tech pick

Last year, my husband Barry got sick. We thought it was just a cold, but then, the strangest thing happened: He lost hearing in one ear because of a virus. After months of waiting, endless consultations and a lot of research, we learned how common this is.

About 1.5 billion people suffer from some kind of hearing loss, and viral infections are a major cause. That whole time, we struggled to talk to each other. Barry couldn’t hear me, and he didn’t want to try hearing aids.

One conversation changed that. “I use glasses to see. What’s different about using hearing aids to hear better?” He agreed to try them if I could find a good option he wouldn’t feel uncomfortable wearing. I got to work and found one I wanted to share with you, too.

First, how do hearing aids work?

The old clunky models you probably think of did one thing: Amplify sound. The microphone captures sound, the amplifier makes it louder and the speaker delivers it to your ear. Done.

Some of today’s hearing aids have an added high-tech component: Tiny processors that analyze the sound around you.

This means they don’t just make everything louder; they focus on the sounds you want to hear, like your friend’s voice in a loud restaurant. They even reduce annoying background noise.

Here’s where it gets cool

New hearing aids are packed with features you’d expect in a pair of high-end earbuds:

Bluetooth connectivity: Stream music, podcasts or phone calls directly to your hearing aids. It’s your own personal sound system.
Directional microphones: These focus on sound coming from specific directions, like zeroing in on a conversation and muting the chatter around you.
Automatic adjustments: Some models can detect if you’re in a quiet library or a bustling restaurant and adjust their settings accordingly.
Feedback suppression: No more awful high-pitched whistling.

Not all models are created equal

Barry asked for the best, and I took that seriously. Now, AirPods can work if your hearing loss is mild to moderate, but for anything more severe, you need tech built for the job. I looked into a lot of brands and found hear.com.

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Most popular gifts: $10, $20, $50 and splurges

If it’s not if they sell out … it’s when. This is me giving you permission to buy yourself something, too. Happy shopping!

✅ Hit this link for hundreds of my great ideas for guys and gals of any age.

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We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Going chemical-free is worth the money

🥘 I got rid of all my old pots and pans that didn’t match and had PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, lead, cadmium and other toxic materials that can leach into your food, making them unsafe for you and your family.

Here’s what I bought instead. Let me tell you, these are expensive, but they have no chemicals, and I don’t even need to use spray oil anymore. With the holidays coming up, you’ll definitely use these:

Loaf pan for breads, lasagna for two and more.
Nonstick cookware set I got in the cream color.
Bakeware set so you’ll have all you need to do anything.
Finally, if you don’t want to buy a set, just try one frying pan or baking dish you use a lot. I know you’re gonna love it. You can always return it if you don’t.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Secret to trying a laptop out at home

Here’s a tech-savvy tip most people overlook: Just like returning clothes that don’t fit, you can often return a laptop if it’s not the right fit for you. The key is understanding the seller’s return policy. I’ll break it down so you don’t end up with an expensive doorstop.

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Review: Best drones for any budget

It’s official, folks: Barry and I are expecting … a drone in the mail! Whoops, did I give you a heart attack? 😅

Yep, Barry bought a fancy-pants drone. And you know me, that means I’ve been scouring the web comparing drones and deals for the past week!

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Ask Kim: 'Can you help me choose an Echo device?'

Absolutely! First things first, here’s how I like to use mine:

Both are totally solid, but I would go with the Echo Show 10. It’s bigger, faster and newer, and just about every spec is upgraded. The Echo Show 8 is certainly more affordable, but this is something you want to buy once and forget about for a few years. This model is already over two years old.

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We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Ask Kim: 'Can you help me find a dashcam for Mom?

If a creep follows your mom to her car, a dashcam can capture videos to later use as evidence in a criminal case. Reputable options like the Ovedisa or BlackVue are both excellent choices.

🚙 Get her a dashcam that records what’s happening in front of and behind her vehicle. This option connects to an app that lets you view, download and share videos. It’s 30% off now, and be sure to check the box for another $30 off. (Makes a great gift, btw.)

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We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Ask Kim: 'Which dashcam should I buy?'

Uber, Lyft and other rideshare companies have provided more opportunities to make a living driving people to their destinations. Some do it as a full-time job, while others make driving into a second or part-time job.

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Kim's pick: My favorite video doorbell to keep an eye on what's happening out front

If you want to secure your home, video doorbells are a no-brainer. They’re a great way to get a little extra peace of mind. You can check in to ensure your front porch is safe if you’re at the office or the grocery store.

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Reader question: 'Can you help me pick a dashcam?'

Uber and Lyft have become overwhelmingly popular in America to make extra cash. Drivers can sign up in minutes, fill in their information and be up and running as an employee in just a few days.

But using your car to earn income comes with liability issues. What if you get into an accident or one of your riders becomes combative? Even if you don’t drive for a living, proving fault in a crash can be difficult. To avoid he said she said, you’ll need to protect yourself.

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I had a personal demo of LG's $100K TV – Here's why I think it's actually worth the money

A true once-in-a-blue-moon technological gem hit the scene at CES back in 2018: a prototype TV from LG with a screen that could roll out of a floor cabinet like a piece of paper.

Three and a half years later, this 65-inch rollable TV isn’t a prototype anymore, and you can order your own LG Signature OLED R right now. The focus has shifted from the marvel of a new type of technology, though, and now all anyone is talking about is its $100,000 price tag.

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9 practical things that will come in handy all the time

The world is full of items designed to make life easier. Some of these tools really are worth their weight in gold, while others are little more than useless novelties.

So, which gadgets are worth the investment? As always, we’ve got your back.

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25 Amazon kitchen gadgets Kim loves: Instant Pot, sushi making kit, Chick-fil-A sauce

These are some of my favorite kitchen gadgets that I recently discovered on Amazon. I thought you might be surprised at how much they’ll help you when you’re cooking. They definitely surprised me.

You want your veggies to last as long as possible. Ideally, you want to take as few trips to the market as possible these days. But if you’re buying food to last you between visits, you won’t want it going bad on you in your fridge.

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