My latest post for FindHearing talks about the importance of finding hearing loss peers. Thank you to all my readers for making this site a vibrant source of support and learning for people with hearing loss. See an excerpt of the piece below.
The Importance of Hearing Loss Peers
Like most people, I started my hearing loss journey alone. My father had hearing loss, but he never discussed it, instead living his adult life suffering with denial and stigma. He eventually isolated himself from his family and friends, leading a lonely life. When I first noticed my hearing loss in graduate school, I was terrified, assuming I was doomed to a life of solitude as well.
For many years, I followed in my father’s footsteps, hiding my hearing loss from all but my closest friends, but once I had children, this all changed. Since my hearing loss is genetic, I worried that I may have passed it onto them. I didn’t want them to see me feeling embarrassed by my hearing loss or disrupting my life to hide it. I needed to set a better example of how to thrive despite hearing loss.
To educate myself, I began volunteering at a local hearing loss non-profit organization. This helped me to meet other people with hearing loss and discover they were leading vibrant and fulfilling lives. They engaged in meaningful work and had active social calendars. I began to feel less alone and less afraid.
How To Find A Hearing Loss Support Group
Many hearing loss support groups exist — both actual and virtual. Hearing Loss Association of America runs the largest group in the United States, operating more than 100 local chapters and holding an annual convention each year.
Click here to continue reading on FindHearing.com.
I too felt isolated when I began to lose my hearing, but the moment I et others who were in a similar situation as me, my life became better!
So true! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thanks. You’re right. I was born with hearing loss but have never really sought support.
Consider giving it a try. Thanks for sharing your story.
Me either awquires! Grew up in a very small time and there were no deaf kids. Sad to say, at 72 yrs of age, I still have no friends that relate to me on that level.
I guess I’m lucky. Where we live in the UK there is a Deaf Club in a neighbouring city. Going there is fantastic because I meet others who have had or are having the same issues as I have.
Also as my hearing loss is now fairly severe my husband and I are learning sign language for when the time comes when we will need it as our preferred method of communication and our local deaf club has lots of members who sign, so by going I improve my sign language skills.
Most of all though it is getting that mutual group or peer group support that helps the most. Having the knowledge that there is always that little haven where I can go and just be deaf in a hearing world and feel at home or where I belong.
That is wonderful! Thank you for sharing your experiences.