Wouldn’t life be easier if everyone had close captioning flowing on their body somehow for those of us who struggle with hearing loss. Oh the problems that would cause if someone is having a private conversation. On the other hand it would save so much time not having to ask others to repeat themselves.
Since my early 40’s my hearing has been slowly getting worst. I no longer enjoy group settings or places with loud noises. It is a struggle to hear people when they are several feet from me. I wear hearing aids but they are older and outdated. At this point I cannot afford new ones. Some of my friends and coworkers are also experiencing some hearing loss.
Either I ask the person to repeat themselves or pretend I heard what they said and agree with them. This could be dangerous also so I am careful I do not agree to anything more serious than it’s raining outside. I don’t actually read lips but it helps my overall ability to understand what the person is saying by their overall body language and seeing their lips.
Besides the physical limitations of being hard of hearing there is the emotional aspect. This is rarely addressed in the medical field. For one thing people with hearing loss look “normal” to the outside world. This is true for many people with disabilities such as chronic pain sufferers. (Another post?) Imagine being in a crowded room and you are sitting at a table of friends and your friend is whispering their deepest struggles and you are only catching a word here and there! If you’re a caring person this can be most frustrating. Or imagine going to a movie and you hear all the loud noises and music but you cannot understand everything that is being said. Circumstances such as these can lead to isolation.
Never give up! There are ways to get the help you need. Some of the ways I found to help get help with hearing aids include: Checking with your local ADRC office, checking with the local job service office to see if you can be hooked up with DVR, and doing web searches for grant money to help buy hearing aids. Another idea is getting an appointment with a hearing aid specialist who often lets you buy hearing aids on a payment plan. Finally, get a check-up with an Dr. of audiology to see if there is anything interfering with your hearing. I ended up having a MRI and they found fluid in my tubes interfering with how my left ear was hearing. The ear, nose and throat specialist taught me how to plug my nose and try to blow through it to drain the water out of my tubes. It helps temporarily.
Just remember: NEVER GIVE UP!
Here is a regional hearing aid specialists with whom I have been working with for a number of years. I highly recommend them!
Comment
Alice,
Your blog about hearing loss is insightful. I like how you pointed out coping with the physical and emotional aspects that this deficit causes. The resource information about where to get assistance is good, and your advice to NEVER GIVE UP regarding one’s hearing loss is very sound and can be applied to many other areas of our lives. Blessings as you forge ahead on your Northwoodsgirl’s blog about overcoming obstacles in our lives.
Helen
I can hear very well but my husband cannot. It’s nice to read from ‘his’ perspective for a change. I didn’t realize how lonely it could be. Thank you.