Welcome to the forum.

I started learning ASL also. I had 2 reasons. First to improve my ability to communicate and Second to exercise my aging brain. I think I was successful on both. It is frustrating that so many folks do not use or understand ASL. But in the process of learning ASL I met some deaf friends who taught many ways of dealing with the inability to hear/understand. Those communities of people are hard to find. Be patient and keep trying. I live in a pretty rural area so it was especially difficult for me. There are more opportunities in large cities.

COVID doesn't help either. There is always the internet but I have avoided social media because there are some risks associated with that. Besides, I don't believe anyone cares how many Cheerios I had for breakfast and other such trivia. My hobbies are individual sports and activities. All that adds up to the isolation you face. I know it would be good for me to play cards or golf with others, but that doesn't interest me much and hearing loss makes it worse.

Family are my main social connections. Since COVID my church family has become remote. I find that physical exercise and activities help my attitude too. The endorphins that are produced are known to help. Music helps well. I can listen to music with my custom moulded earphones. They exclude all outside noise and I just hear the music. Of course I don't hear ALL the music but I'm accustomed to that.

Hand in there and stay in touch.

Jim

Welcome to this group. My experience is similar to yours, with gradual sensorineural hearing loss that started when I was a young adult. Thankfully, I had acquired language; speaking, reading, writing skills, etc. by that time. Today I am clinically/medically deaf in both ears, but a cochlear implant has kept me in the hearing mainstream. Amazingly, the CI works very well with the hearing aid I still use in the other ear. The human brain has a way of adapting when it has a chance.

At one time I considered learning ASL, but soon realized that I would not have anyone to talk to, and that my friends, co-workers, and family members were not going to learn a new language to accommodate me. I discovered many wonderful technologies that went beyond my hearing aids, including hearing loops, FM systems, Infrared systems, and personal devices I can use when I'm in noisy social settings. I used those prior to getting the cochlear implant, and they worked quite well. However, I reached a point where I saw the cochlear implants had been improved a great deal, and decided it was time to go for it.

I still use such devices even with the cochlear implant when I find it difficult to hear. Yes, I struggle sometimes. My whole family was visiting last week, including 4 young adults between ages 19 and 22. Lots of energy and lots of talk. Did I miss some of it? I sure did, but I asked for repeats when it seemed logical. Lots of expended energy, but done while making great memories. It helps to understand that the stress created by working so hard to listen is exhausting. One has to know that taking a break is OK.

I encourage you to learn all you can about hearing assistive technology (HAT). It can make a world of difference for a person with hearing loss. ASL is beautiful, but it's only practical for those who are able to connect with other users.

Most of my hearing loss connections have come through involvement in The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). I've met so many amazing people of all ages through this organization. It has taught me so much and given so many people hope for better technology as it develops. Check at http://www.hearingloss.org to see if there is a chapter near you. This organization turned my life around when I was slowly becoming a recluse due to hearing loss. Just learning you are not alone is a morale booster and motivator!

Hi...... I struggle with the same issue of isolation. It has been gradual but as my hearing got worse I isolated myself more. It became just so difficult to struggle to hear.... also exhausting. Last month I could still hear on my phone but now I cannot. Or the tv or computer. My husband and I write notes to each other but he has arthritis in his hands and it is painful so he doesn't like writing. I try to avoid depression but some days........

Summer has helped. I spend as much time outside as I can. I have a small garden to tend, also try to walk three days a week. I write letters to friends and text and e-mail. All of these things are mood lifters and help.

My brother and sister both have osteogenesis imperfecta so I understand a little about your situation in that regard. Two of their children and one granddaughter also have OI. Childhood was rough for both my siblings but they have done well overall as they have gotten older. I think this is because they are less active. I wish you luck with your struggles. Hang in there. Judy

forgot to say that I also say the Serenity prayer often and it helps a lot. Judy

Hello Gaiagardener, I became deaf in 1 ear in the the late 90's and have severe to profound loss in the other. I have moved from using a hearing aid to a cochlear implant a few years ago. I am moved to write you because of your comment about being "pretty isolated and can't do any group social activities". I think that we with hearing loss are so lucky to have it during this age of technological revolution. Do you dismiss the opportunity to join all kinds of social / interesting groups through, HLAA for example, with the help of Zoom or whatever? Ironically, with the Pandemic, it is as though we can be on the same playing field as those with no loss. And of course there is the captioned phone.