Many people cannot
imagine what it is like to go through life with hearing loss. Here we would
like to feature stories from people who are living it and are unable to get
hearing aids AND stories from people who had hearing loss but were able to get
hearing aids and what that has meant to them. Please share your story in the comments so that others can read them! Thank you!
No challenge too big!
ReplyDeleteWhen Sarah was just 3 years old, we noticed, she would miss simple instructions and conversations, whenever she had her back to us. In passing we told our family doctor, who later sent us to an audiologist.
It was at that time we realized just how severe her hearing loss was. Heartbroken as a parent, I looked at my energetic, beautiful 3 year old and wondered what life had in store.
How would she cope? What do we do next?
At that time, doctors told us that she was born completely deaf in one ear and had some hearing loss in the other. As we sat in the sound proof testing room, we heard the audiologist say words, hoping Sarah would hear and repeat - but to no avail. I asked all the questions, only to be told, "We don't know enough about hearing. Who know's...Sarah could wake up tomorrow deaf in the other ear!" Not what a parent wants to hear.
Through the years, Sarah has developed quiet the talent of lip reading. A talent sometimes, I wish she wasn't so good at! Especially when we are talking about special surprises for her birthday or Christmas!
Sarah has not had it easy. She works very hard at everything she does. She fights hard for every single mark she gets in school. Spelling quizzes were something Sarah dreaded. We would practice all week, only for her to come home with only a few right! We questioned the teachers, only to find out, Sarah would struggle to hear the word as the teacher walked up and down the rows of students. So Sarah did what she did best, tried hard and wrote down what she thought she heard! This is very hard on a hearing impaired student. After this was recognized, Sarah was fitted with both hearing aid and personal sound system for her classrooms. It was then, that she realized what she was missing.
This leads us to now. She is still our quiet thinker. Sarah always tries to help the underdog in the class. Often sticking up for those bullied. She is our one on one young woman, who could talk your ear off, if she has something to say, but takes it all in when she does not.
Recently, Sarah donated her pink hearing aid to the Hear, Hear PEI program. The very pink one she used when she was 5. She only used it a few short months, before packing it away and proceeded to cope with the hearing loss.
Now that she is 16, she wanted to try it again.
Sarah was just fitted for a new hearing aid and with new technology, that was not available 11 years ago, Sarah is hearing things she has never heard before. Once the hearing aid was fitted and turned on, Sarah was searching around the room. I questioned if it was too loud or if something was wrong. She replied, "No Mom, I just have never heard that fan running before!" Brought tears to this mother's eyes.
Sarah is very talented with her hands. Give her a puzzle or task she will not put it down until she figures it out. Sarah hopes to pursue, electrical systems once she is finished high school.
Although, Sarah has had her challenges in life, she certainly overcomes each one with a gentle smile and unconditional kindness!
Watch out world! Sarah can now hear you coming!!
Cindy, this is wonderful. I teared up and smiled at the same time when I read your last line. Yes, indeed, watch out world! Thank you for sharing!
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