The Success Syndicate

Personal Story

Having a hearing loss can be difficult. But trying to explain it to someone who has normal hearing can be even harder. For example, try explaining the difference between “hearing” and “understanding” to someone with normal hearing. It can take hours.

To help provide a better understanding of what it’s like to really live with hearing loss, I am explaining things from my personal experience:

Hearing loss can increase stress, induce sorrow and cause frustration and embarrassment. (1/n)

2/n

I used to feel :

I felt very stressed and tense. I spent the whole time concentrating, and more than once, felt the need to take [the earplugs] out because it was interfering with my work. I felt insecure as if I had to stay on my toes to not miss anything. I caught myself repeating what co-workers said for confirmation. I wouldn’t take my eyes off them because I didn’t want to miss anything, and it was embarrassing to ask them to keep repeating things. Nothing was as clear as I felt it should be and that was frustrating.