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Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others
Hearing Loss | Last Active: 6 days ago | Replies (1640)Comment receiving replies
I have had hearing loss for about 20 years but more seriously since 2010. Things sounded as if I was underwater, was told I have eustachion tube disfunction. Dr placed tubes in my ears however every couple of years they would fall out. He gave up and said there were holes present anyway and they were no longer needed. I then bought hearing aids. Hearing tests show I have reversed hearing loss, so I can hear high tones but have trouble with low, miss hearing thunder, have very hard time hearing men, my poor frustrated husband. Family get angry with me at times because I'll nod a lot as if I heard what was said when I did not, but I worry about irritating people so bad. I am also surprised how when at the Dr or hospital, drs act as if I am the only person who has trouble hearing, surely they see some patients with hearing loss! Volume is not the problem so it irritates me when people shout. I just can't tell the consenants apart, especially if I don't know what is being talked about. I try my best.
Replies to "I have had hearing loss for about 20 years but more seriously since 2010. Things sounded..."
@jnieman Are your hearing aids helping you? I hope they are well fit. Reverse slope hearing loss is less common but not totally uncommon. Today's high quality hearing aids can be adjusted more to accommodate...though still not perfect.
It's a sad reality that medical professionals don't have much education in how hearing loss affects a person. They need in-service training done by people with hearing loss who are willing to share information. All of us have to be proactive in doing that personally but far too many hide the reality of hearing loss because they are embarrassed. Stigma is our enemy.
You are correct, consonants are the sounds that go first with progressive hearing loss. Vowels give speech power but consonants give it meaning. An interesting way to share that with people is to take a 4 syllable word and ask people what it is w/o consonants. Let them see the vowels. Then let them see only the consonants it's pretty amazing words like I_ _O_ _ I_ _ E In context helps in conversation but not always. Here it is with just the consonants. _MP_SS_BL_ It's an amazing exercise when done with a sentence too.
It helps a lot to understand how to explain hearing loss.
Julieo4
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@jnieman i’ve recently started introducing myself to DOCTORS and others by saying, “I’d like you to know that I’m hearing impaired. I need you to speak somewhat slowly, rather than loudly and try to remember to face me.“ I also say I appreciated their help. What are strikes me funny? Is that people react by saying “Oh I’m sorry.” it would make so much more sense to say something like, “good to know. That’s helpful.“ One can dream.