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Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others
Hearing Loss | Last Active: 4 hours ago | Replies (1519)Comment receiving replies
Hi! I'm in my late 40s. I was diagnosed with an auditory processing disorder (severe) and mild central hearing loss in my mid-twenties. A couple years ago after brain surgery, (coincidence probably) I developed terrible tinnitus and then experienced additional hearing loss and now have moderate hearing loss in my left ear and wear hearing aids when I'm not at home. I am supposed to be screened for Meniere's disease but haven't done it yet.
I worry about my safety when I'm out at night alone going to/from my car because I can't hear if someone is approaching and feel very vulnerable. I'd love to hear how others deal with this challenge.
Obviously, when a human is available I ask them to walk me to/from my car but that's not always possible.
Replies to "Hi! I'm in my late 40s. I was diagnosed with an auditory processing disorder (severe) and..."
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Hi @tremblesstl Welcome to Mayo Connect. I can imagine how uncomfortable walking at alone at night can be if you’re not able to hear well. I get creeped out with that and I don’t have hearing loss. Anytime I’m out at night or walking a trail alone, I have a small ‘personal use’ pepper spray can with me in my pocket that can spray up to 15 feet away. Probably gives gives me a false sense of security but at least I feel I have a modicum of defense if given the chance to use it.
There are several members like @julieo4 @imallears who also have hearing loss that can hopefully give you some ideas from their perspective.
Do you have pepper spray or a noise maker such as a whistle to carry?