I'm 63 and worked 20 years in construction environments where I could have controlled today's losses but I did not. I just read linkeellis and the definition of oral deaf and found I'm 50%ish of yours. Problem areas: Ringing in ears 100% of the day. In social gatherings where I'm "listening" to conversations in a circle facing me I generally just listen to what I can, rather than try to piece portions together, then - look for an opportunity to walk outside the event (rest), and don't ask what was said unless I really need the information. My first experience with ALS community is the linkeellis paragraph. I looked at the diagram developed by Charlotte Baker and Dennis Cokely in 1980 to explain how a person qualifies for becoming a member of the community of ...... varying hearing levels.

Self definition is: Entering lonerhood, in 3 settings: 1) It's less frustrating to not talk when you cannot listen, "social settings". 2) With my "wife" #1, coupled with her confusion, of the appearance, that I don't care to listen and her mother died of Alzheimer's. 3) I have "memory loss" from epilepsy since 22 yrs old, ongoing, varying descriptions. I'm not involved with epilepsy beyond the neurologist and medication. No contact with people with epilepsy or persons with memory loss conditions. That 3rd setting is 2-part to define because "memory loss" is taking place daily even if information is heard, when given it may be lost inside, not at all lost - 5 minutes - forever. The appearance of not listening can be memory loss and or, hearing loss. I have trouble separating the 2 for percentages because they often eat at the same table. My more recent decision with less involvement with people has only given me some rest, but rest is temporary. It's time to deal with my hearing issues in order to better identify memory issues.

Would I prefer being 100% deaf or have memory loss? I guess that's not an entirely fair question, except as it applies to me, and like persons only? I've never asked that question until today. Memory loss and Alzheimer's share a lot. Alzheimer's is frightening, always with a hard end. I do not have an Alzheimer's diagnosis. 100% deaf "to me" means just "a freight train" to cope with. My mental health is that I still truly laugh at the situation. But, that's how I'm coming into the hearing loss or deaf world today.