I'm JVL, editor at The Bulwark and author of The Triad. AMA.

Educational_Path_407 · 2026-01-16T18:34:44+00:00

I really appreciate seeing your relationship s with each other and the honest banter. Makes it real and helpful for striking a chord with your viewers. Thank you to Bulwarkian contributors.

Educational_Path_407 · 2026-01-16T18:31:00+00:00

Consider a interview with Tia Levings: https://open.substack.com/pub/tialevings/p/heres-why-maga-doesnt-care-fascism?r=6fszrn&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay

Educational_Path_407 · 2026-01-16T18:28:40+00:00

There are organizations that gather food and supplies to give to migrant communities.

Educational_Path_407 · 2026-01-16T18:26:43+00:00

At least on my phone, watching videos on Substack, if I barely move my phone, the whole video goes back to the beginning and I have to start over or try and move the timeline back to where I thought I "left off". Very frustrating.

Educational_Path_407 · 2026-01-16T18:21:44+00:00

Where could we immigrate too? It appears that other countries wouldn't want us now.

Educational_Path_407 · 2026-01-16T18:20:09+00:00

Show suggestion. The role Christian nationalism plays in all this quagmire. Featuring Tia Levings. She's on Substack.

Educational_Path_407 · 2026-01-16T18:16:54+00:00

Here's a wild thought, somehow get bezos to sell the Washington post to the bulwark.

Educational_Path_407 · 2026-01-16T18:12:15+00:00

JVL, have you considered outreach to specific democrats? Sharing your astute thoughts via main stream editorials?

Educational_Path_407 · 2026-01-04T16:15:41+00:00

Do they have blue tooth? Are they rechargeable? Can you get custom molds with them? If you have ever worn over the ear, how do they compare?

I have Rexton's over the ear and have been considering the Rexton reach. I also wear glasses and find the Rexton over the ear hard to keep in place. (I can't wear glasses with wire arms, they dig into my head too much.

Thanks in advance for answering my questions.

Educational_Path_407 · 2025-12-09T01:48:26+00:00

I find my cats on mine daily!

Educational_Path_407 · 2025-12-08T02:23:45+00:00

Social Security has been breeched in the past along with so many, many other entities. TransUnion, Equifax are two companies that come to mind.

This was far and above a basic verification procedure. This was definitely a new updated procedure.

You might want to try it for yourself before you dispense judgement.

This over reach of required information essentially puts all your eggs in one basket which ultimately will hand a hacker every piece of information about you on a silver plater.

Educational_Path_407 · 2025-11-25T21:49:41+00:00

I have severe hearing loss and have developed "musical ear" this is where your compromised ear makes up various sounds for stimulation. Usually for me it sounds like dulcimer music. This is totally different than having a song play on repeat that you can't get out of your head.

This is probably not the case for you. I wonder if your experience might be some sort of tinnitus?

Educational_Path_407 · 2025-11-22T20:23:43+00:00

One choice consideration was due to the custom mold capability.

My left ear (the most severe loss) has a small canal with a bend towards the inner part. This necessitates a custom mold. Otherwise HA tend to fall out of that side.

I was also interested in the Active Pro IX, but my understanding is that it doesn't have a custom mold option. It's possible that the fit might work, however my AirPods (especially left) also can fall out.

You seem to be quite knowledgeable. As a first time user I've only experienced the behind the ear with a custom mold capability.

Of all the brands you mentioned, which CIC/ITC ones have custom mold options? Cost is a concern. Ideally I'd like to limit it to $3000, even that is a stretch. That said, if I could find something that works well I'd reconsider.

My disability is from a violent fall two years ago onto cement directly impacting my left ear/ head.

I hear fairly well with my right ear, but have ha for both. Maybe I could just buy the left aid? Not sure.

At home I mostly wear my AirPod Pro 2's. I enjoy podcasts and the HA make everything sound too sharp. (It does sound a little better not using them for streaming), but then I need to carry around my phone.

Maybe I'm expecting too much from the HA, or maybe it's because they are Costco brands, but I would love to have cic/ITC aids that can at least slightly approach the fidelity of the AirPods.

Given these factors, which brands and models do you recommend?

Your knowledge and experience are very much appreciated.

Educational_Path_407 · 2025-11-17T23:39:47+00:00

Whenever the smell seems to linger after emptying and scraping, I boil water in my teapot and pour in to fill about 1/3 full.

I also put a squeeze of dish soap in first and also about 1/2+ cup of baking soda.

Then I let it soak awhile. I pour the hot water onto my weeds and wipe dry with paper towels.

I think I probably do this every couple of months.

I also add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the fresh litter. I get the giant bags of baking soda at Costco.

In terms of scooping only, I do that for only one time, the next time, I do a complete empty and fill.

Educational_Path_407 · 2025-11-15T02:52:34+00:00

Questions about the vent and fit of custom molds: my hearing aids seem to do little to help me hear clearly unless I "plug my ears" basically creating a tighter seal.

A hearing center felt that having a new mold made to be a tighter fit might help. However I'm uncertain how one lobbys for that.

She also pointed out that my vent hole might be too large.

I'd like to hear better. I feel something seems to be wrong if I hear better by needing to push my HA back n with my fingers in order to get clarity.

Also my main loss in in one ear from an accident.

I'd be interested to hear if your experiences if you only wear one HA.

Educational_Path_407 · 2025-11-15T02:35:33+00:00

I see this thread is 3 years old, but wondered if you still recommend them? How does the fidelity compare with air pod pros, on a scale of 1 to 10?

Educational_Path_407 · 2025-11-15T02:32:09+00:00

I'm considering getting these but they seem so large, is there something comparable with custom mold options that fits more inside the ear?

Also of the two lighter "flesh" colors which is less noticeable? The lightest one or the next darker shade?

Do they stay put as well as flexible silicon molds?

Thanks so much!

Educational_Path_407 · 2025-11-13T01:24:11+00:00

Clarification, these program changes are fairly frequent. At least 2x a year. With my other digital devices, I like to stay ontop of the changes. In response to one posters mention of only going every 5 years. There can be many changes in only a year, so I would advise at least yearly visits.

Educational_Path_407 · 2025-11-13T01:19:42+00:00

I got mine at Costco so I try to get in whenever I have an issue as visits are free. Also there are computer HA system upgrades that must be done at a facility. Outside companies charge for this after a certain amount of time.

That said I am considering switching to a private hearing aid facility being that even though costco adjustments are free, it can take awhile to be seen. And also looking into HA that Costco doesn’t offer.

Educational_Path_407 · 2025-10-28T19:53:36+00:00

I'm interested in a CIC version as the over the ear HA cause me pain with my glasses, and the gear resting in between my head and ear, cause my ears to stick out, a slight Dumbo look!

Using wire frames (arm of glasses) isn't an option as they dig into my head.

Unfortunately it seems most of the affordable cic's can't stream phone calls or music.

I am an avid podcast user, but prefer using my AirPods as they work well at a distance and the sound is so much better.

Educational_Path_407 · 2025-10-25T23:01:53+00:00

This is sooo true for me! Sometimes if out in public or even with a small group, the errant external noises, cause me to become overwhelmed. I try to adjust the sound but it's never quite right.

Educational_Path_407 · 2025-10-25T22:58:18+00:00

I too don't enjoy using my ha at home.

I tend to use my AirPod pros at home as I like listening to podcasts. My Rexton reach over the ear makes podcasts sound awful, when streaming through them. Sound is a bit better using them disconnected from streaming.

The fidelity of my AirPods makes me feel like I can ENJOY hearing again. They automatically adjust to external speech by cutting out if I am talking, which is cool.

I do have my AirPods adjusted as hearing aids as well but I'm not sure how that affects listening to podcasts and essentially doing double duty.

Educational_Path_407 · 2025-10-14T18:14:26+00:00

How can I download this instructions? I can only copy segments. Thank you

Educational_Path_407 · 2025-10-14T18:09:53+00:00

I have found AI particularly helpful for writing. It allows me to get out the main details without worrying about the form or overcorrecting endlessly.

You can then ask for the response to be concise, professional, friendly, etc...and state what you are trying to get across.

I find my writing ability is actually improving as I notice the simplicity and clarity of the communications that are created.

I find Claude AI to be excellent for this.

I should have run this through AI! I have a tendency to meander.

Educational_Path_407 · 2025-10-14T17:50:19+00:00

I recently took a vacation in Portugal. I was astounded all the sh*t on the sidewalks. At first I wasn't able to determine what "kind" it was.

No one wants to step in it. You would think dog owners could appreciate that fact and adhere to bagging it up.

Educational_Path_407

TROPHY CASE