Hello, My name is Dan, my friends call me Wolfe. I lost my hearing at the age of eight. Lost it due to swimmers’ ear, fevers and just ear infections constantly. I struggled to get the help I needed for some time throughout my life, and it was a mess. I fought with schools, parents, family and friends. No one would believe me no matter how many hearing tests I went through. Back then, it was old-school technology and not a lot was given to be done to help anyone with hearing loss, or those who struggled with losing it. I passed all my school hearing exams but still had issues because I “passed” them, so I went to a place called Miracle ear about the age of ten and had my hearing tested and at that visit (only visit there) I failed. They started to fit me for hearing aids at that time, and as they were fitting my left ear, of course asking questions on affording them and how I would see about paying for them, cause no insurance then and now will not cover them. They found out I was not able to afford them so of course after the first Mould was completed, they stopped. Even after telling me, I needed bilateral hearing aids. A couple of years later, late to early adult life. I went back to find out what was going on, I mean to me what I seen wasn’t normal, blood, and clear liquid coming out of my ears, I instantly went looking for an ENT to help solve the problem (whatever that was), so they tested me, I yet again failed as I figured. He cleaned my ears out the second time and tested once more. Tells me I was hearing but wasn’t hearing and had him puzzled. (Including myself) - I mean how does one hear but not hear. So he did more tests on me and did what he called a bone structed test (thus I know the terminology isn’t correct telling this, or at least the spelling.) He then comes to me after reviewing all the tests he had completed on me. Told me I have what’s called sensory nerve damage and my hearing loss was profounded. I of course freaked out within. Told me he wanted me to meet with his audiologist to fit for a set of hearing aids, and I told him someone was already in works of it, but they wanted to clear me before the fitting because of the problems I have been dealing with on the fluid drains. So he wrote me a script, sent me on my way back to the audiologist we talked options on types of hearing aids, then came the worst part. Payment. Thankfully after going through some options, one stood out that would help and I went with it. We then talked about how I lived my life, what I did in my life to kind of sync it up with the hearing aids. I have now had my hearing aids for a little over eight years, still struggle specially when I don’t have them (maintaince issues or any other issue that might be facing at that moment.) I have had to send my hearing aids back out since I upgraded to get my moulds so they can reinstall my moulds on them and it’s taking a long time for them to come back, said it can take up to two months. So right now I am reading lips or using my phone for caption for calls, and conversation and doing that just sets me more aside from myself. My family struggles using ASL though they try. Some of my family just doesn’t want to face the fact I cannot hear them. Even myself sometimes struggle with that, hopeful to get my hearing back thus I know not only from results but ENTs telling me that won’t happen. Just not sure what to do. I hate the struggle and hate that I have to do so.
2 Likes
It is sad how little people with “perfect” hearing cannot understand how difficult life is for people who have hearing loss. The next time you all get together take some 3M 1100 (or similar) earplugs and get everyone to wear them for a few hours. If they care at all for you they will be willing to participate. It may change a few opinions.