Navigating a Quieter World: Deafness, Hearing Aids, and the Power of Sign Language
Deafness is a condition that can be isolating, especially when it comes from hearing loss. My mother, who experienced severe hearing impairment, wore a hearing aid for most of her adult life. She often remarked that people with sight problems receive considerable sympathy, but deafness is often met with annoyance, as if it is a personal choice. Sadly, this attitude led her to point out behaviors many of us display when dealing with hard-of-hearing individuals.
The Struggle with Hearing Impairment
As I myself have been experiencing hearing impairment, I understand the difficulties firsthand. The most recent significant investment of $7,000 in hearing aids has not always helped in situations where clear hearing is critical. Even with advanced technology, there are still moments when I find myself struggling to communicate effectively.
The Challenges of Lip Reading
Beyond the reliance on hearing aids, I have relied on lip-reading to a certain extent. Before my vision deteriorated, I would often catch enough consonants to piece together conversations. However, with further vision loss, I now frequently need to ask people to repeat themselves or speak more loudly. This has become both a source of irritation and a comedic situation, especially when mishearing can lead to misunderstandings.
Demonstrating Visual Communication
To better illustrate the challenges of lip-reading, try this experiment: stand in front of a mirror and say the phrases “Who’s he” and “Sushi.” Now, put on a mask with no clear area for your mouth. Can you tell me what you said? If not, you've experienced firsthand the difficulty of lip-reading without visual cues, just like attempting to read a muffled and inaudible conversation in a crowded room.
Life with Hearing Loss
My journey with hearing loss began with a significant event. A head cold and a plane flight resulted in my eardrums rupturing, consequently leading to a loss of 30% of my hearing. Prior to this, I had normal hearing, which made learning sign language a more natural process. I am fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), a language that complements my English proficiency quite well.
The Impact of Strokes and Changes in Hand Dominance
Tragically, my life has taken another turn. Three brain strokes have affected my hand dominance and my vision, making ASL a language I have to re-learn. This new challenge has required me to practice diligently, as my left hand has a memorized text from 2004 that includes some harsh words. This unique situation often leads to humorous and sometimes embarrassing scenarios, as I might sign something my left hand intended without realizing it.
Embracing Communication in a Quieter World
Living with hearing loss has required me to adapt. When my hearing aids are out of battery, conversations can become stilted. However, relying on my proficiency in ASL has been a blessing. I can have animated and funny conversations with my spouse, who is hard-of-hearing due to occupational exposure. We navigate these conversations effectively, though it can be challenging when our right hands get dyslexic and our left hands turn into a sailor's mouth!
To those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, I remind strangers and my medical office that they can 'holler' at me. This permission allows them to speak more loudly, reducing the embarrassment of speaking so loudly. If all else fails, a pad of paper or online ordering can help. I also appreciate when people tap me on the shoulder to get my attention, but they must be in my vision field to make sure I heard them. If you decide to learn ASL, I encourage you to learn from the deaf community. ASL is a beautiful living visual language, and I wish you all the best in your exploration of it!