While hearing loss might be upsetting and make you feel isolated, there are methods to cope effectively and positively. With so many options for care, more and more people are able to get the high-quality hearing aids they need.

Those who are able to hear may have trouble imagining what it’s like to be deaf and may be reluctant to make inquiries about it. But learning more about hearing loss is one way to fight prejudice and dispel stereotypes about the illness.

A person with hearing loss might hear sounds in the background that others don’t even hear. While it’s understandable that people would like to avoid these sounds, it’s to their benefit to train themselves to ignore them.

Today, we’ll have an interview with Emily Grace, a lady in her early forties who has first-hand experience with deafness. We hope that by the time you have finished reading this article, you will have a firm grasp of the various methods available to you on how to deal with noise sensitivity. Let’s jump right in!

How were you dealing with your deafness?

Living with deafness is challenging, but like any disability, it becomes a part of your life and you learn to adapt. Total deafness is different from mild hearing loss, but both will affect you in some way, and because of technological breakthroughs, living with hearing loss is becoming less of a challenge.

I could only learn to read lips, sign, and use the most advanced hearing aid technology because my parents took me to speech therapy and an audiologist often when I was a child.

Even though there will always be things about my deafness that bother me, I don’t let them keep me from enjoying sports, being active outdoors, and living life to the fullest. I’ve evolved over the years, but going to a noisy bar, restaurant, or baseball game still has a huge influence on me.

When did you discover it?

My severe hearing loss in both ears began at birth. Prior to my first birthday, I was fitted with hearing aids and taught how to operate them. I never thought my hearing was less than adequate because of the way I processed sound. Even if I can’t place the dates on it, I can name two instances in which I understood the distinctions:

• Being socially awkward when interacting with others in a group setting
• Having to take off my hearing aids in order to go swimming with my pals.

The ability to lip-read properly is a great blessing because I used to rely significantly on my hearing aids. If I paid enough attention to someone, I could figure out what they were saying, whether it was my friends or the lifeguard. Lifeguards have been known to get irritated with me, only to apologise after figuring out why they thought I was ignoring them.

When there is a lot of noise, hearing aid microphones quickly reach their limits, making it hard to pick out individual voices. Simply put, I find it hard to understand women because their voices are so loud (like birds, crickets, plates hitting, music, etc.).

This has me wondering if females cope better than males with hearing loss. My hearing tests indicate that in quiet environments, I can understand 90% of what is being said. Yet, in noisy environments, this percentage drops to 70%.

In light of what has been said so far, I feel forced to reveal that I learned I was disabled when I started taking swimming lessons as a pre-schooler.

What Changed Your Daily Life Habits?

I had to learn to read lips, put in extra effort to understand what was being said, cope with others making fun of my speech and hearing, and decrease my social activities.

Even with all of these problems, I haven’t changed my mind because of the love and support of my family and friends, especially my parents, sisters, and a few close friends. Even though I face new problems every day, I’ve learned to accept them and have a more optimistic outlook on life now that I’m an adult.

In order to accomplish this, I tell myself encouraging phrases such as “You’re not helpless, and these people can’t understand your story because of that. Gratitude for the person you’ve become and joy in your rapid progress deserve your attention.” If you’re having trouble keeping your balance due to life’s difficulties, it’s time to learn to manage and take responsibility for your life.

The world of a deaf person is far more intricate than one may think. The interaction between the deaf and the hearing is possibly the most noteworthy part of this complexity. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing have additional challenges in an emergency.

People who are deaf often have a harder time getting information, talking to other people, and getting medical care. Because of these problems, people who are deaf often need help from other people.

What Kind of Support Did You Receive in Dealing with It?

The majority of people who want better hearing use hearing aids. This method, similar to inserting microphones into the ears, could be helpful for people with profound hearing loss. I appreciate my hearing aids, although they make it so that I have a hard time telling the difference between different people’s voices.

Similarly commonplace are cochlear implants. This device is surgically placed in the cochlea, the area of the brain responsible for sound processing. An external instrument picks up the noise. Learn all you can about the Cochlear Implant (CI). One possible justification may fill a book. Study up extensively on the topic of CIs before deciding to get one.

Learn to work around your hearing loss once you’ve accepted it as a part of who you are. You can build relationships with deaf people by participating in activities like learning sign language or lipreading.

Is it comfortable?

Many people would call deafness a disability, but some people just see it as a difference in personality. There is a large group of deaf people who have developed their own unique culture. For some, the stigma associated with deafness is offensive, so they avoid seeking ‘cures’ or treatments for their condition.

In a group of deaf people, the hearing person who cannot sign is the one with a disability. Becoming involved in the deaf community can be a great source of strength and support if you or your child has a hearing loss.

Takeaway: Living with Deafness

Tell your loved ones and coworkers that you’re having trouble hearing so that they can adjust their methods of communication with you. Ensure the person you are talking to can see your face if they have trouble hearing you. Never attempt to have a conversation with them in a crowded or otherwise distracting setting. Writing or a physical demonstration could also help you get your point across.

Some people greatly benefit from hearing aids because they amplify sounds, allowing them to hear better. These can be worn in or behind the ear. A bone-conduction hearing aid is still another choice. Instead of using your external and middle ears, this gadget transmits sound through your skull using vibrations.

Keep a strong resolve not to feel sorry for yourself and look for bold ways to improve your position in the world. Instead of trying to get rid of everything unpleasant, show that you have guts by taking on some challenges and looking for ways to use exposure-based tactics.