Since this is my inaugural blog, let me tell you a bit about myself and my story...
I was diagnosed with a moderate hearing loss in my left ear and a severe hearing loss in my right ear at the age of 18. Hearing loss is hereditary in my family on my Mother's side and my loss was progressive. Eventually, it became noticeable to others that I wasn't hearing properly, but to me, I thought everyone heard like me. As you can imagine, being dealt something like this at the age of 18 was pretty devastating. I was at a point in my life where what people think of me is of the utmost importance and having one more thing to be self-conscious about was not what I wanted/needed.
To my surprise and relief my friends and others were remarkably understanding and supportive. To their relief and mine, there was finally an explanation of why I was missing so much conversation. However, regardless of how supportive they were to my face I was always worried about what they were saying when I wasn't around. To a certain extent, over 10 years later I've never lost that feeling but it has subsided.
My biggest struggle with my hearing loss has been the emotional and mental stress that I put on myself from not knowing how to handle my new life and limitations. I felt as though I had to face everything alone and learn how to deal with things on my own without anyone to fall back to for advice. I partially blame myself for some of this because I was too proud to ask for help; I do wish to some extent that others had reached out to me more, just to let me know they were there if I needed/wanted it.
Today I am a 29 year old hearing impaired man who does not want to let others go through the struggles that I did. I am still frustrated by the lack of emotional resources available for people who are diagnosed with hearing impairments. I hope that this blog provides people with some help. I want them to know that they are not alone and there are people who are going through the same things they are and that there are people out there who can help them. I wish that there was more that I can do, and perhaps in the future there will be; but this is a start.
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Rob!
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! Good for you! I totally relate to the fact that you wish there was "more you could do." I feel the exact same way about the struggles I have been through in life. Let me tell you though, this is an amazing beginning! I hope you can do more in the future too! Just by talking about your own experience, strengths and hopes for those that are hearing impaired you will be helping so many realize that they are not alone! This is GREAT and I am so proud of you for doing this! :-)
From, WALKER! aka Linds
Rob,
ReplyDeleteI truly appreciate your post. There are many people out there with a sudden onset of hearing loss and had difficulity in coping with it. They need people like you to reach out to them.
Often there are two main issues that the individuals struggled with - Identity and Communication issues. I have some questions for you and hope you would be happy to share them.
How have you been communicating with people? I am sure it's by verbal. What about in terms of information sharing? not being able to acquire information fully or did miscommunication occur sometimes? I am wondering if you have considered (or perhaps already had) learning American Sign Language? Have you wondered what would happen if you became profoundly deaf and the hearing aids are not helping much?
Have you seen/met deaf people before? If so, what are your feelings and thoughts? How do you feel about the deaf community?
I understand and respect that you were born and raised in the Hearing world. It might be the place that you feel most comfortable with. I am wondering if you have considered opening up to the deaf world and see what they have to offer?
Thank you for your comment, I'm happy to answer your questions as best I can.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have been communicating with people verbally and there have been more times than I can count where a miscommunication has occurred and I have missed information. I have found that most people are very understanding and will repeat themselves for me.
I have completed the level 101 ASL class offered through CHS. I thought it was great and also a very large time commitment, which is why I haven't been back to continue but it is something that I would like to complete in the future. I often think about what would happen if I became profoundly deaf and as much as it is scary for me to think about I realize that it is very likely to happen to me one day.
I have seen/met deaf people before. My ASL class was actually taught by a deaf individual. I think they are wonderful people who face interesting challenges in their lives. I do not know much about the deaf community but it is definitely a group that I would be pleased to be more involved with. I have been frustrated by the lack of community outreach information provided by CHS; I have been trying to search out social groups in both the deaf and hard of hearing community without much luck. I would like to be more involved with both but I just don't know how to find them.
Thanks for your comments, I hope you'll continue to read my blog and provide your thoughts.