Chuckm, You are expressing every emotion that people with adult onset hearing loss have in common. We are 'hearing people' whose lives have been turned around. Some of us lost hearing gradually, while others had sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) Some had this start in their younger years, while many led lives w/o hearing loss until they were older. We all experience a traumatic loss. It would be fair to say that people who are introverts naturally, experience it differently than those of us who are extroverts. We extroverts feel this in every aspect of our lives; especially socially and in situations where we depend on typical communication to do our jobs.

There is no easy solution, but it does help to understand what is going on. Also that we are not alone in experiencing this. Misery loves company, so they say. The key is to get past the misery stage, and accept the invisible disability as a new norm, while figuring out how to minimize it. Exhaustion from the effort it takes to listen is typical. It's also something that people who don't have hearing loss do not understand unless we are able to explain it to them. Simply withdrawing, becoming depressed, and cranky, while complaining about what is going on doesn't help much. Yet, we do it all the time. Does it make us feel better? Probably not.

Very few people in this conversation are counselors, but most of us have experienced what you are going through. It has affected our jobs, our relationships and our well being. That introvert/extrovert thing is important to understand. That's often where the difference lies in our ability to cope. You sound depressed. I encourage you to seek help from a professional who understands the ramifications of adult onset hearing loss. They are not easy to find as very few psychiatrists have any background in this area. Yet, mental health is a huge issue among the deaf and hard of hearing population. I suggest you contact your state's Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing or state commission for a referral. Every state has an 'office' of some kind, but they have different names. I don't know where you are from, so cannot suggest specifically. Find out which providers work with the hard of hearing population, and ask for someone who speaks without using sign language. You are not a sign language person. When someone is using manual communication it can be a huge distraction to people who are trying to speechread and listen. (Many do not understand that, but it's related to that fatigue thing.)

Most likely you will benefit from hearing aids and assistive technology that goes with them. Some of it can be used independently. Your state office should be able to direct you on that also. Your employer should provide you with the technology you need as it is part of the Americans with Disability Act. That does not include hearing aids, but does include the assistive technologies you need, including those installed in large listening areas. Learn what will help you and ask your employer to provide it. There are apps that provide speech to text on cell phones to use in direct communication. There are phones that provide captioning. It's a different way of doing things, but it works if you let it.

Please seek help from someone who understands hearing loss from a personal perspective. Your state office for Vocational Rehabilitation may be a good place to begin. VR may also help cover the cost of hearing aids. You don't have to let this disability destroy your life.

You mention listening to the radio. Since having a cochlear implant, I've been able to enjoy the radio again, especially in the car. TV has been fine all these years because I, and my family have accepted the reality that I need to have the captions on. It really helps when your family and friends are willing to learn along with you, and will do what you need them to do. They don't know unless you can tell them, so you have to learn first. Same with your clients. I did similar work to what you describe as I worked with low income wage earners. I always explained my hearing loss to them, and I can say that nearly all of them were helpful and willing to adapt to my unique needs. In the unusual event that a client was resistant, I managed to have another case manager work with them. I sincerely hope that you find the same support I did when I opened up about my unique needs.

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