The joy of going deaf …
Before we dive into discussing being deaf at work I wanted to press pause for a moment. Because we’re ignoring a rather large elephant in the room…
How deeply emotional it can be to lose your hearing.
Experiencing early hearing loss – whether you’re plunged into deafness overnight or lose your hearing gradually – gives rise to a whole range of emotions…
You may be a bit emotional, or a lot. You might keep it all bottled in and seem to be coping admirably, while inside you simply feel desperation. Does any of this ring true?
When I lost my hearing I felt a huge sense of unfairness.
Why me?
What had I done to deserve this?
And, oh boy, was I ANGRY! I was fuming at my ears! At my GP for sending me away so many times that there was no way to find out what had caused my deafness. At my audiologists for not miraculously curing me. And at my family for not immediately understanding that I couldn’t hear them when they had their head in the fridge!
If this sounds familiar, please understand you are very far from alone. There are thousands of people out there who are on the journey through hearing loss. And many of them are willing to offer a helping hand to a fellow traveller.
It’s a brave new world!
Losing your hearing opens up a whole new world, in good as well as challenging ways. Two groups of people who really helped me through the first months and years after my hearing loss were:
- My lipreading class
My lipreading teacher and fellow students taught me so much more than how to lipread better. I learned coping strategies for social situations, how to train my family to help me hear them, what equipment might help and, most usefully, how to laugh at the many mistakes I made trying to hear people! Find a class near you at ATLA.
- Deaf groups on Facebook
There are great groups on Facebook for people with hearing loss. They are welcoming to people with all levels of deafness, and reading other peoples’ experiences – whether good or bad – really helped me find my way.
Whether you’re a student, working, unemployed or retired, losing your hearing can be a very emotional experience. There is help out there from people who have shared experiences. When you’re ready, take a deep breath, and go explore your new world.
If you’d like to recommend any resources for people new to hearing loss, let us know in the comments.
Lisa Caldwell works freelance as an accredited Phonak Roger Pen trainer with Credo Communications.
You can catch up with her at credocommunications@gmail.com
This is a small friendly Facebook group for hard of hearing people: Hard of Hearing UK
https://www.facebook.com/groups/8235313089/
It’s incredibly tough!!! First thing I did was get a pager (back then) today I would get a cellphone with the ability to text. Staying in contact with others is so important. Having that connection!!!
Next thing to remember while it is tough on you – going through this and the lack of ability to understand…. it is also tough on the others around you. They so want things to be the way they were too and want to have simple conversations like the day before…. PATIENCE and working together is so important. Take a step back and breathe and know there is AMAZING technology these days.
Laura lost her hearing in 2014, aged 27. Her blog is at https://theinvisibledisabilityandme.wordpress.com/
Laura has a great list of resources at https://theinvisibledisabilityandme.wordpress.com/2015/12/07/a-year-on/
She says –
One thing that I have learnt throughout the last 18 months is that hearing loss does not define you, it just changes your outlook on life and how you cope with challenges you may face. Do not let it hold you back from doing the things you love.
I lost my hearing 4yrs ago. My still having lots of trouble coping as I’m not surrounded by a strong support base other than the Lord and my husband. It’s especially rough at work. I wish there was one in Texas
Im very near taking my own life. No music no bird sounds or songs. I cant do my job im going to lose my home. Possibly home less. Im losing touch with reality. Nothing feels real all i think about is death. I have no idea why im even writing this. Im a walking dead man. I loath my very existance.
Hi Steve, please contact Mind and AOHL for support.
Also come and talk to us at Hard of Hearing on Facebook. There are lots of people in the same boat as you, we support each other and find a way through this. Being deaf is not the end of the world.
One of the best things I’ve done is to get a Hearing Dog, that might be worth considering.
http://www.mind.org.uk/
http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/8235313089/