Welcome to AllDeaf!!!
There is a thread in the Our World, Our Culture called Adjustment to Late Onset Deafness that would be a greagt thing for you to read. We have a lot of late deafened people here on AllDeaf of which I am one. I was hard of hearing since birth and slowly lost hearing in both ears. At 42 or 43 I lost it all nad I am 46 now and feeling great about it. I do miss being able to hear some things, but other times I am blessed with the "silence". I am total deaf and just learning ASL.
Sorry this was so long, but I felt it might help you a little.
Gee Botti - you beat me to it. I was typing and you got it in before I finished. Way to go!!