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Need for advocating now for hearing loss
Hearing Loss | Last Active: Aug 30, 2020 | Replies (39)Comment receiving replies
THIS SAYS IT ALL....OR AT LEAST MOST OF IT! Yes, I was 'shouting' with those CAPS.
Hard of hearing people have two big problems that are chronic:
1. As a group, hard of hearing people don't know what can help them beyond hearing aids which are considered by society to be a 'solution'. We, who use hearing aids know they are aids. They help, but do not resolve the problem. The 'solution is far more complex. Finding solutions means taking control, educating oneself, and not being led by advertising that markets denial and promises far more than products can provide.
2. They don't realize that change that comes through education & advocacy begins at the grass roots level. In order to solve a problem, the people who are affected by it must become involved in finding a solution.
As long as most of our collective energy is spent denying we have hearing loss and/or hiding it because we're embarrassed by it, progress in effecting change will be difficult and long. We have to get off our butts and speak up. We have to tell people what we need. First, we must know what we need.
Replies to "THIS SAYS IT ALL....OR AT LEAST MOST OF IT! Yes, I was 'shouting' with those CAPS...."
Your last sentence here, I think is a real kicker...about educating ourselves. I, for one, was hardly enthusiastic really, about doing this because I had enough going on in my life so that the last thing I needed was yet another project to be involved with. Someone on the list recently said something about a manual (for something specific - was it hearing aids?). Can we think of a kind of simple. somewhat entertaining, introductory manual-like piece of information to help guide people? As opposed to just "search the internet"? Actually, I think Katherine Bouton's latest book, "Living with Hearing Loss" comes pretty close. I'm sure you might have suggestions for a basic reading list?
First of all, thank you to Mayo Connect for introducing me to this site. I just became a HLAA member. I wish there was a Milwaukee chapter. Next, I want to applaud all if you for your efforts on behalf of us with hearing loss. For the first time in along time, I feel slightly optimistic about navigating through this annoying hindrance of being able to hear but not understand what is being said.
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Bravo Julie! Thanks for speaking out. You are lucky to have the HLAA which appears to be active. Great to see various people, possibly advocates chiming into various conversations.