After nearly 2 years being half deaf you would think that I'd have learnt all there is to know....you'd be wrong! Very rarely does a day go by where I don't hear a new sound, new tinnitus, crackling, popping, the odd bang here and there as well as daily noise, the odd dizzy spell and an occasional ear ache. That's all normal to me now and I've grown used to it over the last year and 11 months (who's counting?!)
But what never ceases to amaze me are peoples attitudes. Don't get me wrong I've been incredibly lucky, supportive friends, co workers, family and a boyfriend who is great, but some people aren't so privileged. After writing a post on a single sided deafness support page on Facebook (a great place to have a rant and a moan with people who totally "get it") it became apparent that SSD sufferers face situations daily, of people who don't believe their situation. Don't get me wrong I've had my fair share of "Oh you really are deaf in that ear?", "maybe if I shout?" as well as the old favorite "when will it come back?"
To read that bosses are saying things such as "just turn up your hearing aid" and in some cases not even believing that a person was deaf, insinuating that they were making the whole thing up to make better use of "selective hearing". (yes we've all heard that one! *eye roll*)
It's hard to believe that in a world so fast paced in so many ways, a simple conversation between 2 people can leave one person feeling hurt, left out, and exhausted just trying to explain a simple diagnosis. When did people become so dismissive? As I said before, I've been incredibly lucky and, although its been a steep learning curve, I've come out the other side stronger and prepared for those type of questions and comments.
This blog has been mainly about awareness as well as helping friends and family understand what/how I hear. Be mindful... next time someone tells you they didn't hear you, don't roll your eyes or say "oh it doesn't matter".
I think I can speak for all when I say, It matters to us!
If I was half blind and asked you to wear an eye patch, you'd see what I see. With hearing loss that's not possible. An ear plug only cancels out 60% of sound.
The problem is not that the deaf do not hear. The problem is that the hearing world does not listen....
