No doubt about it, hearing loss imposes limits on our communication and participation. Feeling our way through new limits after big drops is a challenge. The new limits imposed on us can be overwhelming and isolating. It takes time to grieve for them and then heal.
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Russian Writer
Not long ago, I realized I’ve been a hearing partner my whole life. An aha moment during our Lipreading Concepts class recently reminded me I have been practicing hearing loss communication rules since I was a kid. My grandmother would touch my arm so I would look at her, then she’d say, “Now repeat that.” This simple routine started when I was 7 or 8 years old.
Gifts of inclusion go straight to the heart. There’s a variety of ways you can gift your Hard of Hearing (HoH) loved one, many of which do not cost money. There are some that cost money and also find a special place in the heart. Following are some gift ideas for those in your family with hearing loss.
*Note: We don’t have business agreements with the following companies. We have experience with their products, or have heard good things from others.
Collateral Damage Definition: Injury inflicted on something other than an intended target. One example of hearing loss and collateral damage: people think we are rude and stuck up when we don’t answer them.
Hearing Loss LIVE! teams up with Gloria Pelletier to take another look at the mental health side of hearing loss.
How does collateral damage apply to hearing loss?
Hearing loss hurts us in unknown ways. It also unintentionally affects the hearing people in our lives. This is especially so when we are not upfront about our hearing loss.