SHHH – Hearing loss doesn’t need to imprison people”
January 28, 1998

This was the first writing I submitted

I can’t hear you when I yawn! Or, for that matter, when I lean over . . . maybe because I cannot read your lips – I’m not quite sure. To hear you, or understand you, I need to face you and it helps to know what topic we are discussing. The weather? A movie? Work?

While other students were learning French or Latin, I was a self-taught student in lip reading and body language. These are all coping mechanisms I have learned to survive as a hard-of-hearing individual in a hearing – and noisy – world.

Before I got my first hearing aid, I had no idea how loud train whistles, traffic, overhead announcements in stores, music (in church or concerts) were! Noise hurts my ears but I have an advantage over many. I can turn my hearing aids off and retreat into my silent world.

Take note, I did not say sad or lonely, but silent. I have grown to enjoy the silence and have lost all fear of potential deafness.

How did I do that? I have been learning American Sign Language. I purchased a TTY (text telephone). I utilize the Ohio Relay Service (ORS) and FM Listening systems. I have an alarm clock that wakes me with a light and a smoke alarm people tell me could wake the dead. And I own a darling hearing dog, Snert.

I have educated myself, my family, friends and coworkers. To do this, I listened to many people – hard-of-hearing, Deaf and hearing – about their lives and how they have developed coping mechanisms for their obstacles, because everyone has them. I have read journals on hearing loss, watched programs on educational television, learned to draw on my personal resources to redefine who I am without much hearing.

I have been a musician for years; singing, playing the guitar, piano and dulcimer, writing music and poetry and even recording some of my music.

As my hearing gradually lessened, I withdrew from what was familiar including people, places and interests. This grew lonely and I decided I must accept my loss because it was not returning. This was difficult and to say differently would be a lie. Tumultuous is the best word to describe that time in my life.

The best way of coping for me has been my sense of humor. Often I say, with a big smile, “Do you want to know what I think you said?” It is like the game charades; “sounds like” but no cigar for her. I can honestly say, when I am asked if I have heard some gossip tidbits, “Nope!” and thus that grapevine is eliminated where I stand.

I am blessed with an understanding family and place of employment; people meet me in the middle as much as possible. Therefore, I am not constantly walking 100% to meet them and everyone is happier and more comfortable.