That term 'deaf and dumb', as politically incorrect as it is today, has been around for generations. Generations ago it was assumed that a person who could not speak or hear was 'not intellectually able'. In other words, dumb, stupid, etc. Those people were treated as 'Children of a Lesser God' (seem movie), and families had very low expectations for them. And, of course the word dumb really meant 'mute' or unable to speak. Most deaf people can speak, but due to their inability hear, their diction is poor and it's hard to understand them. Most likely, when you are born that way, it's easier to not speak than it is to not be understood.

In years past, there were tons of jokes about 'absent minded professors' who misunderstood things; another thing that tied old age and absent mindedness to hearing loss. No, I don't feel 'stupid', because I know I'm smart, but often I feel that others don't know how smart I am. Reality. I think that's why I enjoy writing.

I had an experience once that really stayed with me. My husband and I were at a social event with many prominent people from our city. We were among the younger folks there. A group of women, whom I knew casually because we all played golf at a club in town, were standing in a circle discussing local politics. This was back in the 80s. I was participating in the discussion quite well. All of a sudden one of the women came over to me and said. "What is it that you are using? I didn't know you were smart." I was using a direct audio input microphone that plugged into my hearing aid. It looked like a black cigarette and was quite small, but it was attached by a cord that ran to my hearing aid. AND, I could hear quite well in spite of the noisy environment...think large cocktail party. I was not insulted by her comment. I was elated by her observation. It was so wonderful to feel included in a conversation. That was the point in which I realized that showing I was helping myself was a key to getting help and respect from others. Later this woman apologized to me profusely as she realized her comment may have offended me. Again, it didn't. It gave me the courage to let it show and speak up when I needed support. It also gave me the motivation to offer to speak to groups about hearing loss, etc.

As my hearing loss has deteriorated over the years, it has become harder to hear in settings like that. However, I do fairly well with my cochlear implant and am thankful for the accessories I can use with it. I'm also thankful for my hearing aid and the activated telecoil it has in it. These devices keep me 'smart' and involved. I thank HLAA for teaching me about many of these options. Now, in my 70s, I'm watching some of my own peer group start showing signs of hearing loss. Most of them are struggling with the idea of seeking help. Some have gotten hearing aids, but many won't even try some of the technology that can make the hearing aids even better. They just stop going places where people create background noise socializing. The most frustrating experience , is meeting those who would use assistive tech if only they had been told about it by the people who sold them their expensive hearing aids. It's not nice to learn that those expensive devices did not come with some of the options that make them worth their cost. There's a lot to learn. It's good that we can discuss this 'stuff' here. 🙂