Did you have to do things differently to communicate with your grandmother than with other adults in your life? I'm guessing the answer is probably 'yes'. I'm also thinking that was challenging and frustrating at times and that you don't want to be like your grandmother.

There are age old stigmas attached to hearing loss. Among them are "S/he doesn't pay attention and has selective hearing", "S/he isn't very smart because she says 'dumb' things in conversation", S/he is antisocial and not very friendly", etc. People in general don't understand that hearing loss removes people from fluid conversation. Sometimes we think we heard something and respond out of context. Sometimes we don't respond at all. And sometimes we get so fatigued by trying to keep up with conversation that we tune out completely.

Just mentioning these few things about acquired hearing loss because it's likely you have anxiety about being like your grandmother and you don't want to be like her that way.

Protect your hearing as best you can. Don't expose yourself to extreme noise without protective devices. And stop worrying about what life would be like if you did have hearing loss. Nearly 20% of the population has some degree of hearing loss. There is help available today that wasn't there 20 years ago. Stay positive.

Are you practicing any stress management exercises?