Connect
← Return to Holiday Auditory Exhaustion Syndrome is Here!
Discussion
Holiday Auditory Exhaustion Syndrome is Here!
Hearing Loss | Last Active: Dec 6, 2022 | Replies (29)Comment receiving replies
It’s an important strategy for people with hearing loss to communicate their interest and engagement in a social situation with body language, eye contact, and physical location in the center of the conversation, because if we don’t we are easily dismissed as absent. I will never sit passively and silent on the sidelines, waiting to be included. I’m always actively engaged and contributing to the conversation. Joking, arguing, asking questions, showing interest, growing my relationships at every moment I’m there.
I’m also very assertive about asking people to repeat when I’ve missed something. I’ve never been slighted when I’ve asked for help, and I think that’s because there can be no doubt that I’m fully present.
Yes it does require extra effort. I know that going in, and I am up to the challenge. It’s worth it to me. Our attitude toward the challenge is something we can control.
Replies to "It’s an important strategy for people with hearing loss to communicate their interest and engagement in..."
That is a great attitude to have. I’m usually pretty comfortable when it comes to family and people I know but I do struggle when in a group of people who do not know me and my situation. And especially if there are a lot of conversations going on at once. I have a hard time figuring out who to focus on and where the conversation is going. It can be hard to navigate that.
Connect
In regards to group listening problems. I had SSHL about 5 years ago and play cards with a group, go to movies with a group and meet for lunch with a group. In every group I struggle because people are speaking fast and sometimes at the same time. In other words it is like it has always been before I lost hearing in one ear. If I don’t have people seated on my right (my good ear) I simply lose the sound. Most of my friends understand if I ask them to repeat, some don’t and I think that is the way it is. I’m 89, in exceptional health and this is a major loss for me but remember my father struggling in groups and I do think I am better off then he was because I will ask people if they will repeat. In movies I simply lose a lot but watch Netflix at home. I have a Cros (Oticon) where I can adjust the background noise but I still miss a fair amount. I just have adapted to this condition as i know I’ve done the best I can.