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cam · 11-17-2007, 06:46 PM

Hi this is my first time here. I have been deaf in one ear all my life and it has always been a problem. I didn't realise everyone else had 2 ears working until I was about 10 years old. When I said I couldn't hear properly the grown ups said I was lying. At school I did badly and was told I was stupid but in my thirties I got myself through college and ended up joining Mensa. The worst thing about my deafness is the difficulty I have socially. I am fine with one person as long as there is no background noise but in a crowd I have never been able to cope so I just avoided social situations and became quite withdrawn. I had my hearing checked out and was told the nerves are dead so there is no point in having a hearing aid. I insisted on trying one out and guess what, they were right! Now I am in my fifties and wondering if there are other people who have the same problem as me who have found ways of handling it that I haven't thought of yet. Ideas, anyone?

Kaitin · 11-17-2007, 08:51 PM

Hi, Cam: Maybe I am not helpful, but I know crowds in social situations is hard. I pick one person at a time at a party and not a crowd or am with friends who help with communication. In a group I try to control the conversation a little in a good way so one person only talks at a time and I understand more but many people at parties know I am deaf/HoH from class (I am in college) and try hard to communicate. I have some great hearing friends who know sign from a little to more ASL and they help. I try to avoid darker spots because lipreading is impossible without light. Also I do group fun with physical activity like dancing, bowling, darts, pool, skating etc so less is talking. But not all social situations with hearing work and I am ok with leaving a party to have fun with one or two friends I can communicate with better. Now my hearing is very bad I spend more time with a few friends than groups, although really loud parties are better because I don't have problems with HAs and very loud noises since now I don't wear HAs. One advantage I guess.

11-17-2007, 06:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
cam Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1	new to site Hi this is my first time here. I have been deaf in one ear all my life and it has always been a problem. I didn't realise everyone else had 2 ears working until I was about 10 years old. When I said I couldn't hear properly the grown ups said I was lying. At school I did badly and was told I was stupid but in my thirties I got myself through college and ended up joining Mensa. The worst thing about my deafness is the difficulty I have socially. I am fine with one person as long as there is no background noise but in a crowd I have never been able to cope so I just avoided social situations and became quite withdrawn. I had my hearing checked out and was told the nerves are dead so there is no point in having a hearing aid. I insisted on trying one out and guess what, they were right! Now I am in my fifties and wondering if there are other people who have the same problem as me who have found ways of handling it that I haven't thought of yet. Ideas, anyone?

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11-17-2007, 08:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kaitin Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 845 Blog Entries: 23	Hi, Cam: Maybe I am not helpful, but I know crowds in social situations is hard. I pick one person at a time at a party and not a crowd or am with friends who help with communication. In a group I try to control the conversation a little in a good way so one person only talks at a time and I understand more but many people at parties know I am deaf/HoH from class (I am in college) and try hard to communicate. I have some great hearing friends who know sign from a little to more ASL and they help. I try to avoid darker spots because lipreading is impossible without light. Also I do group fun with physical activity like dancing, bowling, darts, pool, skating etc so less is talking. But not all social situations with hearing work and I am ok with leaving a party to have fun with one or two friends I can communicate with better. Now my hearing is very bad I spend more time with a few friends than groups, although really loud parties are better because I don't have problems with HAs and very loud noises since now I don't wear HAs. One advantage I guess.