Living in a quieter world.

Hearing loss is not a curse. We should not fear it. Worry about it, definitely, but not fear it. I have moderate hearing loss. I was born with it and was diagnosed at the age of five and have bilateral behind the ear (BTE) hearing aids. Fortunately for me it is not a genetic matter. It is most likely that I was exposed to a disease such as measles in utero. It makes certain activities more difficult and there are a few things I cannot do, but it is by no means prohibitive.

 

Dealing with hearing loss at a young age can be difficult. You have to learn to care for your hearing aids; remember to take them out when you get wet; don't lose them; keep them away from pets; sometimes withstand some ridicule; and most of all, learn to accept it. Acceptance is hard. Sometimes it is hard to not feel ashamed – to not feel like there is something really wrong with myself.

 

I am terribly blessed to have grown up with no real negative side-effects. My speech has developed normally and I have always been in mainstream schooling with no real extra assistance. My excellent speech development is what allowed my loss to go unnoticed for five years. In fact, even today most people do not realise I have a hearing impairment unless I tell them.

 

When I was young I used to leave my hearing aids at home by "accident" because I felt like they made me "weird" or a "freak". Truth is, they don't. They help me hear the world and enjoy life. I also wore my hear long and down most of the time so people could not see my ears. I still do, but I'm not as worried when I do pull it back. It is all part of the process of acceptance.

 

Hearing impairment has kept me from very few things in life. I am a strong lover of music. I have played several instruments and sang in choirs. I have even joined a rowing team. Water is always a worry, but I refuse to let it get in the way of my participating in a sport I love. I love swimming, reading, art, anthropology, languages, and life. I can listen to music, albeit I do have to watch the volume levels. I can watch TV and films, sometimes though I do use closed captioning as an aid.

 

Sure, I don't hear alarm clocks; telephones; fire alarms; and many softer or high pitched noises. I don't always hear people when they call my name or walk up behind me. I cannot always perceive directionality of sound. And I have to remember to carry extra batteries with me wherever I go, but I would be lost without my hearing aids. Yet I am also an amazing lip reader. I adapt and learn every day how to deal with different situations.

 

But I no longer think about it in the morning and at night when I take out my hearing aids to sleep. It is simply a part of my life and sometimes it can even make me chuckle. Sure, there are things I worry about – Will I be deaf later in my life? What adjustments will I have to make to my life to deal with different situations such as living on my own? Am I going to miss out on something because I may not be able to hear it?

 

At the end of the day I am happy to be who I am. My hearing loss does not define me. It is simply a part of me and a challenge I sometimes have to overcome. Hearing loss does not need to be feared and those with hearing loss need to be treated with understanding and patience. The world may be a bit quieter at times, but it is by no means less rich or meaningful or beautiful.

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